ADP Candidate Vows to Turn Nasarawa into Industrial, Food Hub

 Dr Christopher Mamman, governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Nasarawa State, has pledged to drive industrialisation and agricultural growth in the state if elected in 2027.

Mamman made the pledge on Thursday in Lafia during the public presentation of his manifesto, alongside his running mate, Alhaji Aliyu Gurku.

He said Nasarawa State had remained underdeveloped despite its abundant natural resources. "Nasarawa state is richly endowed with solid minerals, arable land, tourism sites and human capital that can make it lead all 36 states in industrial revolution," he said.

Describing the state's location in Nigeria's Guinea Savannah as a comparative advantage, Mamman said Nasarawa was well positioned to become the country's food security hub. "Our beloved state is ideal for meat production, grass production, crop production and fruit production. Some countries in the Middle East have placed demand orders for Nigerian animal meat since 2024, and Nasarawa state alone can meet that demand. But this can be possible only with the right leadership in place. This is why I am presenting myself to serve our dear state," he said.

He promised, if elected, to promote modern cattle and small ruminant farming, ranching, hybrid grass cultivation, and industrial-scale slaughtering, processing and packaging.

On solid minerals, Mamman said he would harness the state's raw materials to establish a globally competitive ceramics industry. "We have raw materials for all the three types of ceramics: artwork, stoneware and porcelain. Our government will create an enabling environment to establish factories for manufacturing of ceramics by-products, plates and toilet facilities. This alone will create thousands of jobs and make many millionaires in the value chain," he said.

He further pledged to generate electricity through cascading and run-of-the-river hydro methods, and to build an iron and steel industry leveraging the state's high-purity iron ore deposits. His administration, he said, would also promote local cement production using the extensive limestone deposits in Awe, Toto and Nasarawa Local Government Areas, with the cement earmarked for new road construction and the rehabilitation of existing roads.

Mamman also promised to boost local production of industrial red bricks to support affordable housing for state residents.

On education, he pledged to properly equip the state's three existing Technical Secondary Schools in Assakio, Mada Station and Agwada, and to give special attention to the Special Science School in Lafia, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and digital technology. "Our education beyond June 2027 will move from certificate-based to skills and knowledge-based," he said.

He further promised to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and to tackle criminality and other security challenges facing the state.

"Our goal is clear: to build a Nasarawa State where our natural resources will create industries, industries will create businesses, businesses will create jobs and jobs will create prosperity for every citizen," Mamman said.

While acknowledging the scale of the task ahead, he pledged to assemble a capable team to support him in transforming the state if elected.