The largest state in Nigeria in terms of land area is Niger State and one of the main investment opportunities in the state is agribusiness.
Caution: Apart from Minna, the state capital which is safe because of the concentration of government officials, Niger is one of the Northern states where terrorists have carved for themselves a portion of land for their nefarious activities.
As such, we urge interested investors to exercise caution when travelling to the state for possible business communication.
Having said that, below are 20 investment ideas Niger state has that would have propelled the state to economic liberation if not for the poor security around the state:
- Power Generation
- Tourist attraction
- Transportation business
- Hospitality
- Tourist guide business
- Photography and video coverage
- Fashion designing centre
- Auto repair workshop
- Car wash in towns like Minna and Bida
- Business centre
- Security consultancy
- Computer sales
- Rearing of birds like turkey and livestock (very risky because of terrorists)
- Electronics store preferably in the state capital
- Barbing salon
- Mobile phones and accessories sales
- Recharge card business
- Boutique business
- BDC business
- Business consultancy
Conclusion
One of the reasons why we would not recommend Niger State to foreign investors at the moment is because of the security alarms that were raised by the state governor and other top government officials.
If they could raise such an alarm, it means things have gone worst than it is because it is common among government officials to paint a picture of safety in their state to attract foreign investors.
Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello disclosed in 2021 that Boko Haram members took over 500 communities. The federal government which ought to take action watched in dismay.
On November 23, 2021, Niger’s Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Ahmed Matane revealed in another development that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists are in the many communities in the state recruiting members and teaching locals their doctrine, according to Daily Post.
Boko Haram fighters also attacked Kaore community. According to a report by vanguard, the terrorists have penetrated 24 local governments out of 25 LGAs.
Such a state isn’t a safe place for investment unless the investors have and possess the military might to face the activities of the terrorists who might want to hinder your business activities.
Though major crops in Niger include yam, cassava, sorghum, millet, and rice among others, Niger is not a safe state for investment and many solid minerals, there were reports that farmers cannot access their farmlands in many communities in the troubled state.