Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has received a delegation of Chinese investors from the China Overseas Engineering Group Company (COVEC). The investors expressed strong interest in agriculture, energy, and industrial development in Gombe State.
The meeting was held at the Gombe Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. It was attended by officials from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
COVEC announced plans to establish an integrated agricultural park in Gombe. The project will focus on large-scale mechanisation, agro-processing, livestock development, renewable energy, and export-oriented value chains.
The company explained that it will deploy advanced Chinese agricultural technologies and infrastructure models. According to the delegation, the goal is to drive rural transformation and promote sustainable development in Gombe State.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya assured the investors of a favourable investment climate. He stressed that Gombe has investor-friendly policies, natural resources, and a strategic location. “Gombe is a viable destination for investment, particularly in agriculture, commerce and enterprise. We are ready to receive investors and offer all necessary incentives to encourage them,” the Governor stated.
He highlighted projects already in place to support such investments. These include the 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, located near the Dadinkowa Dam with a 40-megawatt hydroelectric power plant.
The Governor also pointed to the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve and the livestock development zone as opportunities. He said these projects make Gombe a key player in the livestock value chain.
He further mentioned the state’s strong water infrastructure. The Dadinkowa, Balanga, and Cham dams anchor this system. The Balanga Dam alone can irrigate over 11,000 hectares of farmland, which makes it ideal for commercial agriculture.
On solid minerals, Governor Yahaya outlined Gombe’s deposits of limestone, uranium, and other minerals. He said these resources create opportunities for cement manufacturing and mineral processing. “We are fully prepared to partner with serious investors to harness our God-given resources for the benefit of our people and our economy,” he affirmed.
The COVEC delegation leader described the meeting as insightful and strategic. He said it helped the team understand Gombe’s agricultural and industrial potential. He added that a follow-up visit would soon be made to lay the groundwork for large-scale investment.
Also present was Abubakar Yarima, Director of Strategic Services at NIPC. Representing the Executive Secretary, Yarima said projects of this size could attract major foreign direct investment.
He explained that such investments would create thousands of jobs and involve smallholder farmers across the agricultural value chain. “The central location and enabling policies of Gombe make it a natural hub for agro-industrial growth,” Yarima noted.
He encouraged the Gombe State Government to take advantage of the opportunity. According to him, it will help deepen entry into foreign markets, which is part of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s long-term vision for the state.