The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has predicted that in the next five years, the state would stand on its own economically and financially through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),

He hinted that his administration used the last seven years to lay the groundwork for the state’s socio-economic prosperity.

Sule stated this in an exclusive interview with The Guardian against the backdrop of Nigeria’s maiden National Climate Investment Summit (NCIS) in London, as part of this year’s London Climate Action Week (LCAW).

The governor stated that, although his administration started with an Executive Order, it successfully enacted legislation that establishes a tripartite arrangement among the state, host communities, and investors for the exploration and exploitation of the state’s rich mineral deposits.

Noting that the federal government’s initiatives through the Ministry of Solid Minerals helped the state to entrench enabling laws to avert the insecurity that usually trails artisanal mining in mineral-rich communities, he stated that whoever mines in Nasarawa must be prepared for value addition through establishing a processing plant in the state.

Responding to a question on the status of Nasarawa in the next five years, Sule said: “I see a state that is going to be booming with opportunities; a state that is going to have a huge population growth. And with some of the things we are doing, I see a state that may actually be buoyant with its own IGR and be able to stand on its own.

“These are dreams we had, but I think we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can say that it’s looking good.”

As to whether his administration has designed strategies to ensure that succeeding administrations do not drop the ball along the line, Sule noted that since the state is not run by one person, “there is a team on the ground that will continue. I’m sure, by the grace of God, the teams that are there that may not go with the governor will continue to ensure that the ball is not dropped.”

On the type of successor he would recommend to the people of Nasarawa State, the governor said he is always praying to God for someone who will come and do better than he did; someone who is committed to the state, truthful and also visionary.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that over the next couple of months, the state will celebrate its 30th anniversary, adding that a committee comprising prominent stakeholders has already been set up to drive the celebration and sell Nasarawa State to outsiders.