KUWAIT: Faruk Lawal, Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Nigeria, arrived in Kuwait this week with a high-level delegation to engage potential investors and explore avenues for deepening bilateral cooperation. The visit highlighted Katsina’s ambitious development agenda and targeted investment opportunities across agriculture, education, infrastructure, healthcare and youth empowerment. During his visit, Deputy Governor Lawal held strategic meetings with senior officials in both the public and private sectors, including the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the Director-General of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the President of Kuwait University and the Director-General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
Emphasizing Katsina’s “open for business” stance, Deputy Governor Lawal presented a wide range of investment opportunities spanning agriculture, energy, infrastructure, technology and mining. He highlighted large-scale agriculture and agro-processing initiatives leveraging the state’s fertile land and strategic location, including modern irrigation projects, agro-industrial zones and value-chain programs aimed at transforming raw produce into processed goods.
The Deputy Governor also outlined renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and biomass, designed to support industrial growth and rural electrification. Significant investment potential exists in road transport, logistics and border infrastructure, as Katsina positions itself as a regional transport hub connecting Nigeria to neighboring markets. “Katsina is fostering innovation and technology-driven services, promoting ICT, fintech and smart solutions to harness the potential of its youthful population,” he noted.
KUWAIT: (From left to right) The Chargé d’Affaires of Nigeria in Kuwait, Ambassador Murtala Jimoh and Deputy Governor of Katsina State Faruk Lawal take group photos with other officials.
The state has developed technology and innovation infrastructure to encourage partnerships and build a modern, tech-enabled economy. He further highlighted new geological surveys identifying Katsina among Nigeria’s top states for commercially viable gold deposits, inviting investment in mining and mineral processing. The state has implemented a comprehensive Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, providing a clear roadmap for private-sector participation in infrastructure, energy, water, agriculture, health, education and tourism. Ease-of-doing-business reforms, including digitized permits, expedited processing and a One-Stop Investment Facilitation Desk, have already secured significant investor commitments.
Deputy Governor Lawal also detailed key infrastructure initiatives under the “Urban Renewal” plan, including a 24-kilometer eastern bypass linking Dutsin Ma Road to Kano Road via Daura Road, dualization of major urban roads and rehabilitation of rural routes around Daura and Funtua. These projects have improved connectivity, created thousands of jobs and enhanced the state’s business environment.
Agriculture and food security were central to discussions, with the Deputy Governor highlighting state investments in fertilizers, tractors, solar-powered pumps, mechanization equipment and irrigation systems to boost food and livestock production, create rural employment and reduce poverty. Education and social development programs, such as the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), aim to expand access to quality education, particularly for girls, while healthcare and youth empowerment initiatives focus on primary healthcare delivery, vocational training and employment generation.
Deputy Governor Lawal stressed that Katsina’s “Build Your Future” agenda integrates infrastructure, agriculture, education and social services to modernize the state’s economy, improve living standards and create sustainable employment. He also noted efforts to enhance security through increased patrols, community vigilante support and collaboration with federal security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Chargé d’Affaires of Nigeria in Kuwait, Ambassador Murtala Jimoh, lauded the longstanding diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Kuwait, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation. Speaking to Kuwait Times, he highlighted opportunities for Kuwaiti investors to participate in Nigeria’s development agenda and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to facilitate trade and investment initiatives.
Kuwaiti officials welcomed the delegation, expressing keen interest in expanding cooperation in agribusiness, education and infrastructure development, signaling strong potential for future partnerships. Deputy Governor Lawal’s visit underscores Katsina State’s commitment to attracting international investment, sharing development achievements and pursuing strategic collaborations to drive socio-economic growth.
