By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Niger state government has declared over one thousand square kilometer of land at Sarkin-Pawa, Munya Local Government Area as an Industrial Development Zone for investors willing to leverage on the gas pipeline that passed the area from Abuja to invest in energy development for growth and development of the state.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago stated this at the 2026 AKK and Energy Forum while signing an agreement between Niger state government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited (NNPCL) on Gas Master plan Collaboration agreement that will make Niger state as the real Industrial Hub in the North.
Mohammed Umar Bago said Niger state as a new heaven of investment destination when fully operational, adding that the project will change the GDP of the state, provide opportunities for agro allied industries, fertiliser hydro carbon company and hybrid blend of hydro power solar and create employment.
Governor Bago said the have also signed another agreement with New Energy Limited for the Development and implementation of Gas Master Plan in which the Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman and State Commissioner for Justice Barrister Nasiru Mu'azu singed on behalf of the state Government while the Executive Vice President Gas Power and New Energy Directorate of NNPCL, Olufemi Olalekan Ogunlaye signed on behalf of the NNPCL.
In his remarks the Group Executive Officer, NNPCL, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who was represented by Mr. Olufemi Olalekan, said the collaboration with Niger state Government on Gas Master Plan agreement and Clean Energy agreement is the first of its kind that would helped to transform Niger state and enhance its revenue bases and status in the northern region and Nigeria as a whole while congratulating the Governor on the milestone.
Speaking on derivable benefits, Niger state Commissioner of Investment, Aminu Suleiman Takuma said investors contributed only 20 percent will get tax waver, free infrastructure connection as well as the gas price stabilisation among others.
Also speaking, the In a vote of thanks the Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar expressed appreciation to the state government and Nigerlites will drive many benefits from the investment.
While commending Governor Bago for his foresight, the Etsu Nupe assured of total support from state traditional rulers in Niger to achieve it's success. NNL.
