Insecurity Threatens Investment  Inflow, But  Niger  Remains Open For  Business  — Takuma 

Niger State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hon. Aminu Suleman Takuma, has revealed that insecurity remains one of the major challenges affecting the inflow of international investments into the state, but said the government is determined to overcome the setback and position Niger as a preferred investment destination.

This was contained in a Press statement issued by the Chief Information Officer of the Ministry, Ismaila Musa and made available to Journalists on Friday in Minna

The Commissioner was speaking during an engagement with heads of agencies under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment at his office, where he also called for stronger synergy, adherence to due process and greater institutional cooperation among the ministry and its agencies.

According to the Commissioner, the security situation in parts of Niger State has created negative perceptions internationally, making the state a “red flag” for some potential investors.

He, however, said the government had refused to allow the challenge to frustrate its investment drive, stressing that efforts were ongoing to attract credible investors into the state.

“Insecurity is one of the bottlenecks affecting investment inflow into Niger State, but we are not leaving any stone unturned. Despite the challenges, we are still attracting investors and we are achieving results,” Takuma said.

The Commissioner expressed concern over what he described as inadequate synergy between some agencies and the ministry, warning that institutional rivalry and duplication of responsibilities could undermine the government’s development agenda.

He urged heads of agencies to operate within their mandates, follow due process and avoid taking over responsibilities assigned to other institutions.

Takuma explained that the ministry was primarily responsible for policy formulation, while its agencies were established to implement policies and programmes, noting that both sides must therefore work together to achieve the desired results.

“The ministry is the developer of policies, while the agencies are the implementers. Therefore, the agencies cannot operate effectively without the ministry. We must change the narrative and work together as one team,” he said.

He further warned that agencies unwilling to align with the administration’s development agenda risk being left behind, stressing that the government’s investment drive requires collective responsibility and institutional discipline.