President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to food security and regional economic inclusion, describing them as central pillars of Nigeria’s long-term stability and prosperity.

Speaking Wednesday at the Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo, Tinubu said agriculture remains the anchor of Nigeria’s development strategy and identified Taraba State as a future hub for agricultural, energy, and mineral resource development.

“Food sufficiency is the first currency of national stability. This is why we have prioritised agriculture as the anchor of our national strategy,” Tinubu stated.

He praised Taraba’s capacity to produce export-grade tea, coffee, and livestock for the meat industry, urging a shift from subsistence farming to mechanised agriculture through the adoption of modern tools like tractors and harvesters.

The president further emphasized industrialisation and value addition as critical to national progress, warning that Nigeria must stop relying solely on raw exports.

“We cannot live on raw produce and unprocessed minerals. What we need are factories to add value, clusters to drive innovation, and industrial parks to convert ideas into impact,” he said.

Citing the Kashimbila Dam Nigeria’s largest hydroelectric facility, located in Taraba Tinubu pointed to the state’s immense developmental potential.

He also lauded Governor Agbu Kefas for convening the summit, calling it a bold step toward unlocking regional opportunities and decentralizing national investment.

“Investment must no longer be the exclusive preserve of Lagos and Abuja. We are expanding the map of economic inclusion to include Jalingo, Gembu, Takum, Wukari, Bali, and every enterprising corner of Taraba,” Tinubu said.

He concluded by stressing that Nigeria’s collective prosperity depends on unity and inter-regional cooperation, with each state contributing uniquely to national development.