President Bola Tinubu has stated that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population requires an industrial response to transform it into what he termed “demographic dividends”.
He made this known on Wednesday at the Taraba International Investment Summit, known as ‘Taravest’, held in Jalingo, the state capital. The President was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“Nigeria cannot survive on raw produce and unprocessed minerals,” Tinubu noted. “We need factories to add value, clusters to drive innovation, and industrial parks to turn ideas into impact.”
A Call for Visionaries
Highlighting the urgency of industrialisation, Tinubu said, “Our growing population is a call for an industrial solution. Above all, we need visionaries who look beyond the short-term gains of trade and embrace the transformative power of industry.
“We need people like Aliko Dangote. We need people like Tony Elumelu. The trajectory of global growth is pivoting towards Africa, and Nigeria will either define or derail that journey,” he stated.
He cited projections that Nigeria will become the third most populous country by 2050, warning that without proactive planning, the population boom could become a liability.
From Disaster to Dividends
“Our population is expected to reach 440 million. Without proper harnessing, this could become a demographic disaster. But I believe we have the people, the resources, and the capacity to turn this into a demographic dividend,” he said.
With ageing populations in Europe and Asia, Tinubu argued that Nigeria’s youthful workforce could fill the global talent gap.
“Our proximity to Europe, coupled with the high number of English speakers, gives us a competitive edge,” he added. “With all due respect, Nigerian English is often more intelligible to Western audiences than other variants.”
Tapping Into Global Markets
Tinubu compared Nigeria’s potential to India’s outsourcing industry, which generated $120 billion last year, adding that Nigeria has yet to fully explore such opportunities.
He appealed to Nigerians to unite across religious, ethnic, and political divides. “Poverty knows no ethnicity, religion, or tribe. Let us come together as one.”
Strategic Value of Taraba
Tinubu said the summit was particularly important because Taraba offers far more than its scenic landscapes. “Each part of Nigeria is a gift to the others. No region can thrive in isolation,” he said. “This summit matters because it represents the synergy that drives national progress.”
He emphasised that Nigeria must scale its productivity to meet the demands of a new global industrial revolution.
Modernisation for Relevance
“Our farmers must shift from cutlasses to tractors. Our power suppliers must energise large-scale industries. And our mining sector must meet global standards,” Tinubu declared.
He assured that recent government reforms are not arbitrary but are structured efforts to create an environment where enterprise can thrive and investor competence is rewarded, not left to chance.
“What we seek are not spectators, but partners in progress,” the President concluded. “The government stands ready to support your initiatives beyond this gathering, offering institutional backing to turn your ideas into reality.”