Reviving Northern Nigeria's Economic Legacy
Invest-In-Northern-Nigeria Limited (RC.935,699) is a private-sector Special Purpose Vehicle dedicated to transforming our human capital into economic growth through strategic interventions
Northern Nigeria: A Legacy We Must Re-establish
Of Nigeria's GDP in 1963
Of Nigeria's arable Land
Population with over 40% below age 30
Northern Nigeria is a geographical region of Nigeria. It is more arid and less densely populated than the south. The people are largely Muslim, and many are Hausa. Much of the north was once politically united in the Northern Region, a federal division disbanded in 1967.
Concept of Raising Capital Through Northern Nigeria's Vast Human Resource
BACKGROUND:
The North under the visionary leadership of the Late Premier, Alh. Sir. Ahmadu Bello, The Sardauna of Sokoto (Rahimahul Lah), in the early 1950's & in the late 1960's anchored its economic policies on:
(i) Agriculture & Mining: As the Major source of revenue for the North; Cash and Food Crops, Livestocks, Hydes and Skins. Tin Mining, etc
(ii) Education (Knowledge Industry): Developed the Ahmadu Bello University, The Kaduna Polytechnic, Colleges of Education, Colleges of Agriculture, Farm Institutes, Agricultural Research Institutes, Elite Secondary Schools (Barewa, Keffi, etc), Provincial Secondary Schools, well equipped and funded Primary Schools, etc., to support the growing development needs of the Northern Nigeria.
(iii) Infrastructure: With focus on:-
- Power: (Kainji, and later, within the energy Master-Plan of the entire Region, Shiroro, Jebba and Mambila to support the immediate and long-term energy needs of the North),
- Rail: To enhance the North’s ability to move goods and people both upcountry and down south,
- Roads: To support the North’s ability to move within the entire North as well as connect to other parts of the country,
- Industry: In Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Maiduguri, that focused largely on adding value to the primary products predominantly being produced by the peasant farmers of the Region as well as to support the growing mining sector that was equally contributing substantially to the income coming to Government.
The Concept of Creating Capital Through the Vast Human Resource Domiciled in the Northern Nigeria
It is true that poverty resides in the North growing exponentially as you move away from centers of development and active economic activity to the least developed areas and the need to check, contain and reverse this trend is the subject that challenged our minds to the need to identify a means by which we can collectively turn a hopeless situation into that which promises a very bright future for us all and those coming from behind. The concept behind this project lies in our ability to answer the following question:-
Is it possible to identify 1,000,000 (One Million) Citizens of the Northern Nigeria that can subscribe to raising N1,000,000 each over between 1- 5 years (or even to 10-years) to enable the North raise a N1,000,000,000,000.00 (One Trillion Naira) Equity for Counterpart funding of some of the critical infrastructure projects that can scale up the capability of the Northern Nigerian economy?
THE ANSWER IS: YES , and We Can, if all of those, beneficiaries of the Sardauna legacy in governance or business, in public or private life and that poses that capability believe in it, promote and subscribe to it.
It is strategy that aims at creating the right framework that supports ability of citizens of the Northern Nigeria wherever they may be to subscribe to on equal shareholding basis to a New Private Sector driven Investment Company of Northern Nigeria or the Invest-In-Northern Nigeria Limited that will be under the Overseeing of a Board of Men and Women of Integrity drawn from within the cream of these distinguished Northern Nigerian subscribers to this New Multi-Investment Company initiative.
Whereas the new Investment Company is projected to be subscribed to by a minimum of 1,000 Citizens of the North in the first instance, that have the capability to subscribe to a maximum of N1.00M each in value of Shares of initial value of N1.00/share at 10% premium to support running of the Company to enable a seed Capital of N1.00B be raised initially, the response, unfortunately has not been encouraging from 2013 to date. The initiator of the idea had written over 1,000 Letters to every identified important personality of the North, met with at least 150 of such personalities on one-on-one but all these efforts did not yield any positive results or favorable responses. People commended the idea as good and a potential solution to addressing some of the Regional economic challenges, but that was the end of the story. We must however acknowledge, the anxiety and interest expressed in, and embrace of, the entire idea by HRH Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, then as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who personally delivered a cheque of his subscription to the home of the chief promoter with every enthusiasm, HH Amb. Alh. Shehu Malami (RahimahulLah) the Sarkin Sudan of Wurno, who also personally delivered his cheque to the home of the chief promoter, Senator Isaiah Balat (May his soul rest in Peace), HRH Alh. Nasir Ado Bayero, Mal. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halilu, Haj. Aishah Saleh Minjibir, who did not only pay in the N1.1M but supported the Company in its project publicities, H. E. Amb. Niyi Oladeji, Prof. Suleyman O. Adeyemi, Alh. Mujtaba A. Khaleel, Alh. Baba Mohammed, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Haj. Umma M. ‘Yar Adua, Haj. Maimuna Sanda Aliyu, Haj. Halima Gambo-Jimeta, and a host of the committed Northerners to this project that will be fully listed under “Our Shareholders & Subscribers” listing.
However, with the little we were able to mobilize, we did not only ensure that we protected the resources of everyone that paid in N1.00M or less but ensured that the Company has a functional Board of Directors and the Board sits unfailingly each Quarter of the year to give account of the status of the company. The 41st Board of Directors Meeting took place on Monday, December 2, 2024.
The initially conceived strategy was based on:
A core group of 1,000 committed Northerners investing N1M each (N1B seed capital)
Each mobilizing 100 others through a "nominate-one" system
Public funds were declined to maintain integrity
Current Status (as of Dec 2024):
41st Board Meeting held December 2, 2024
Public sector funds were declined to protect the image and integrity of the Company
Impact of States Creation on the Northern Nigeria as an Economic and Political Entity
Creation of States started since 1967 by the General Yakubu Gowon administration, even though was indeed with a very good intention and meant to fast track development it however, ended up succeeding in placing aside those key elements of the development programs of The Leaders of The North, as the fragmentation of the Region into States created divergent attentions and focus on the development of the Region to those of the entities then created (States), initiated a process that attempted to reinvent the will and thereby discarding the sustenance of the implementation of the then Regional Master Plan. Thanks to late H. E. Alh. Audu Bako of Kano State who retained the model and continued the Northern Regional Masterplan implementation within the confines of the then Kano State (Kano & Jigawa of today) with Agriculture and Water Resources Development at the fore front of the Kano State Development Plan.
The advent of OIL and the subsequent over dependence on Crude revenue as a major source of support to the economies of these entities (Created States) substantially eroded the States’ ability to have financial and economic independence and reduced many of these states of the North to a dependent-on-handouts from the centre States. The subsequent further fragmentation of the North into many more States even worsened the situation. That marked the beginning of the undoing of the North as strong and vibrant self-reliant economic and political entity. This can however be reversed if the right policy tools are deployed to address the key needs of entire Region and the country.
It is disturbing to note that what ONE State of the 19-States of the North collected from The Federation Accounts Allocation between 1999 and 2024 is more than hundred times what the entire North was generating between 1958 and 1966 with which it achieved all those developments recorded within that period and even supporting the then Eastern State cover its Budgetary deficits that included then, the Delta States of today.
Industries in Northern Nigeria: 1960 - 1963
Kaduna: Textiles, Mineral waters, Brewing, Cotton Yarn, Hotels, Steel Products, Furniture, Stationery, Reinforced concrete products etc.
Kano: Tanning, Plastics, Enamel ware, Leather, Footwear, Perfumery, Blankets, Confectionery, Steel products, Tiles, Lisbon pans, etc.
Zaria: Toiletries; Tobacco
Ilorin: Matches, Cigarettes
Gusau: Motor Engineering, Bacita: Sugar;
Jos: Tin Smelting, Pumps, Gramophone records, Jute fiber sacks,
Maiduguri: Abattoir, Oilseed crushing etc.
Sokoto: Cement (Only the highlighted still survive under the Lee Group, the NASCO Group & the BUA Group)
In 1963, the British Cotton Growers Association (BCGAs’) were operating
thirteen (13) cotton ginneries in Northern Nigeria
Current Reality of Northern Nigeria
1960s
Giant Pyramids
Textile
Hide & Skin
Tin & Columbite
Today
Small Scale production to extinction due to:
Illiteracy → Unemployment → Religious crisis → Boko Haram
The Urgent Need for Intervention
The Need to Intervene by Creating a Private-Sector-Led Special Purpose Vehicle to Address these Challenges of the North.
The Special Purpose Vehicle herein created is the Invest-in-Northern Nigeria Limited (RC. 935699) that will be the Group Holding Company overseeing creation and conduct of several other sector or area-specific Companies that will handle variety of level of Investments to enhance the economic and social advancement of the Northern Nigeria.
Why Invest-In-Northern Nigeria?
Northern Nigeria is actively improving its business environment to attract investors. It has
streamlined business incorporation, tax payment and improved access to local partnership
with Government’s support and incentives. The North is open for business, offering huge
clusters of large companies to investors and more…
Compelling reasons to Invest In Northern Nigeria
Young & Skilled Workforce
Improved business conditions
Abundant land & natural resources
High urbanization rate & growing middle class
Vibrant financial systems
Gateway to largest market in Africa
Investing in Northern Nigeria presents both significant opportunities and challenges.
Here’s a brief overview of opportunities:
Agriculture
• Vast arable land and diverse climate suitable for various crops (cotton, groundnuts, sorghum, millet, rice, etc.);
• Potential for large-scale irrigation and modern farming techniques;
• Growing demand for food processing and agricultural value chains.
Mining
• Rich in nearly every industrial mineral resources (tin, columbite, gold, lead, zinc, oil & gas, lithium, tantalite,
etc.);
• Untapped potential for exploration and development;
• Opportunity for investment in processing and refining industries.
Renewable Energy & Technology
• Abundant solar and wind resources and untapped potential in technology & AI development;
• Potential for off-grid solutions and rural electrification;
• Growing demand for clean energy alternatives such as waste-to-energy
Manufacturing
• Potential for textile, leather, and agro-processing industries;
• Large and growing population, providing a significant market;
• Opportunity to leverage existing raw materials.
Tourism
• Rich cultural heritage and historical sites;
• Natural attractions like national parks, wildlife reserves and water falls;
• Potential for ecotourism and cultural tourism development.
Security
• Ongoing security challenges in certain areas (insurgency, banditry) but being addressed;
• Impact on investor confidence and operational.
• Thanks to the Feb.2025 US Senate revelations on the role the USAID had been playing in fuelling insecurity
globally.
Infrastructure
• Inadequate infrastructure (roads, electricity, water) in some areas;
• High cost of logistics and transportation but higher return on investment.
Governance
• Bureaucracy and corruption, now being addressed;
• Need for improved transparency and accountability.
Education and Skills
• Low literacy rates and skills gaps in certain areas but quickly trainable;
• Need for investment in education and vocational training, another area of investment opportunity.
Climate Change
Desertification, flood and drought, which can impact agricultural production.
Access to funding
Many small and medium sized businesses have difficulty in accessing capital, so business partnership is encouraged.
Key Considerations for Investors:
Conduct thorough due diligence; partner with local experts and communities like the IINNL, focus on sustainable and inclusive development, prioritize security and risk management, engage with government and with stakeholders. In summary, investing in Northern Nigeria presents numerous opportunities and if carefully leveraged on planning, and strategic partnerships one is sure of high return on investment and long-term success.
Re-establish the legacy of development in Northern Nigeria
This requires a multifaceted approach, focusing on key areas:
Education:
• Investing heavily in quality education at all levels, addressing the high rates of illiteracy;
• Promoting knowledge and skills-based education to enhance employability.
Security:
• Addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty and inequality;
• Strengthening security infrastructure and community policing.
Economic Diversification:
• Moving beyond reliance on agriculture to develop other sectors, such as manufacturing and
technology: Leveraging technology and collaborative models;
• Promoting entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for women and youths.
Good Governance:
• Enhancing transparency and accountability in governance;
• Strengthening institutions and promoting the rule of law.
Social Development:
• Addressing poverty and inequality through targeted social programs
• Improving access to healthcare and basic services.
Agricultural Revitalization:
• Modernizing agricultural practices and leveraging scalable agricultural value chain;
• Improving access to finance (resources) for farmers.
Sectors of Intervention
Sectors of Intervention and likely Impact on the Economy of the Northern Nigeria
Access to Finance
Invest in creating The Investment Bank of The North or an Interest-free Financial entity, as an Access to Finance Special Purpose Vehicle to support doing business in the North.
Gas Resources
Invest in Delivery of Gas Resources to the North to support Industrial revival and Growth, as fuel and feedstock and in other renewable energy sources to support Power sector and protection of the environment,
Rail Services
Invest in the Restoration of Rail Services within the North to enhance its competitiveness and enable cheaper means of movement of Goods, Persons and associated Services,
Information Technology Infrastructure
Invest in building a robust Information Technology Infrastructure for the North’s Digital Transformation Planning, that will further add value to and support;
Reviving Agriculture
This sector currently suffers from absence of investment in knowledge and technology. There may be the need to build entirely new;
• Agriculture College: A Technology driven institution,
• Agricultural Research Institute: A Technology driven facility,
Power Sector
The IINNL shall continue to promote the City-Specific Direct-Injection Solution as one of the most viable options to address the Power shortage in the North attached to Solar Farms of 50-MW to 100-MW that’s more sustainable than the Gas-Powered Turbines power generated distribution through the National Grid Network that had been prone to vandalization and mischief.
Our Innitiatives
Northern Nigeria Development Fund (NNDF)
The Northern Nigeria Development Fund (NNDF) was configured to be supported from 10% of the individual’s subscription dividend per annum. To address, but not limited to, the following:
Scholarships for talented students
Healthcare facilities and medical training
Agricultural extension services and farmer support
Environmental protection and forestry programs
Growth and Development of Northern Nigeria Ltd./GTE (GDNN)
Objectives of the Growth and Development of Northern Nigeria Ltd/GTE
The following are some of the objectives of GDNN:
1. Promoting and Facilitating Investment in Northern Nigeria;
To be handled under the Invest-In-Northern Nigeria Limited, A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Economic & Social Transformation of the Northern Region of Nigeria.
2. Public Policy Advocacy;
To be handled by a Special Unit within the GDNN,
3. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR);
To be handled under The Northern Nigeria Development Fund (NNDF) which is already an Incorporated as highlighted earlier on; and
4. Any other activity that will promote the well-being of the Region of Northern Nigeria.
The Board
Engr. Mustafa Bello, FNSE
Founder and Chief Promoter
Alh. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halilu
Board Member
Alh. Abdulkadir Jeli Bello
Board Member
Haj. Aishah Saleh Minjibir
Board Member
Amb. Usman Baraya
Board Member
Engr. Muhammad Sani Alhassan
Board Member
Get Involved with IINNL
At IINNL, we believe that sustainable development is a collective effort. Whether you’re an individual, organization, or investor, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference. Explore the opportunities below and take the first step toward contributing to Northern Nigeria’s growth.
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