Katsina investment summit: Wazirin Ida unveils blueprint for economic growth, stability. By Lai Gidado
Katsina investment summit: Wazirin Ida unveils blueprint for economic growth, stability. By Lai Gidado
Former Permanent Secretary in the Presidency and elder statesman, Wazirin Katsina (Sen.) Ibrahim M. Ida, CON, has warned that Nigeria risks perpetual underdevelopment unless governments commit to consistent policy implementation and embrace private sector-driven growth.
Sen. Ida gave the charge on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the Katsina State Investment Summit held in Katsina.
He told participants, including policymakers, investors, traditional rulers and development experts, that Nigeria’s biggest challenge is not the absence of good plans but an entrenched failure to execute them.
Citing his role as head of the Economic Office in the Presidency between 1994 and 1998, he recalled coordinating the celebrated Vision 2010 Committee, which produced what he described as one of the most comprehensive development blueprints in national history.
He expressed regret that despite its depth and strategic clarity, the Vision 2010 report was ultimately shelved by successive administrations, depriving the nation of a transformative opportunity.
According to him, political instability, weak institutional frameworks and the tendency of new governments to discard existing plans have been major factors undermining long-term development.
“No nation develops by repeatedly setting aside strategic visions in favour of immediate convenience,” he declared, insisting that Nigeria must entrench a culture of continuity.
Ida stressed that policy execution must become a shared national ethos, not just a responsibility of government, but a commitment embraced by leaders, citizens and institutions.
Despite the historical shortcomings, he said he is optimistic about the path Katsina State is charting under Governor Dikko Umar Radda.
He described the decision to organise the Investment Summit as evidence of deliberate, courageous and forward-thinking leadership.
According to him, the summit demonstrates the governor’s willingness to convene experts, engage stakeholders and translate dialogue into actionable strategies.
Ida identified Katsina’s strategic strength as lying in its border location with Niger Republic, which naturally positions it as a hub for cross-border trade and regional economic integration.
He said the state’s youthful population constitutes a major demographic advantage capable of supporting large-scale enterprises and boosting consumption.
He also highlighted Katsina’s rich natural resources, including agriculture, livestock, solid minerals, renewable energy and tourism, describing them as potential pillars of economic transformation.
Speaking on the theme of his address, “Private Sector Investment as a Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Prosperity in Subnational Economies,” Ida argued that economic diversification is now an urgent priority.
He explained that reliance on public expenditure has become unsustainable, and that the private sector must take the lead in driving innovation, job creation and wealth generation.
Human capital development, he noted, is another critical pillar for prosperity, as no society can grow beyond the skills, health and education of its citizens.
He warned that insecurity remains the most serious threat to Katsina’s economic aspirations, stressing that no society trapped in crisis can make meaningful progress.
Ida said banditry and insurgency in the state are driven not just by violent extremism but also by poverty, unemployment and weakened trust in public institutions.
He advocated a community-centred security model that addresses root causes while complementing the efforts of security agencies.
According to him, local communities are often the first to detect security threats and must therefore be empowered to participate in early warning, intelligence gathering and peacebuilding.
He urged traditional rulers, youth groups, women’s associations, religious bodies and vigilante networks to play stronger roles in fostering stability and rebuilding trust.
Ida further called on government to deepen public-private partnerships, streamline regulatory procedures and improve service delivery to create a more attractive investment climate.
He also appealed to citizens to support development by patronising local businesses, investing in productive activities, promoting peace and constructively holding leaders accountable.
Concluding his address, Ida said Katsina stands at a defining crossroads and urged all stakeholders; government, private sector and the people, to unite in building a prosperous, secure and economically competitive state.
