Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has inaugurated the newly rehabilitated and expanded Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo, marking a pivotal moment in Taraba State’s drive toward global investment appeal and regional development.
The Vice President arrived at the state capital at 10:17 a.m. to flag off the highly anticipated Taraba International Investment Summit 2025, themed: “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials – Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining and Industrialisation (AEMI) for Sustainable Growth and Development.”
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shettima’s visit underscores the Federal Government’s growing commitment to regional infrastructure development and economic diversification through subnational partnerships.
The revamped Danbaba Suntai Airport is more than a transport facility — it’s a strategic gateway designed to support trade, tourism, and investment. With upgraded runways, improved facilities, and expanded operational capacity, the airport is expected to drive air traffic and investor confidence in Taraba’s fast-developing economy.
“This airport is a symbol of progress — and a foundation for the future Taraba is building,” Shettima said at the commissioning ceremony.
Hosted by Governor Agbu Kefas, the 2025 Investment Summit brings together industry leaders, global investors, policy experts, and business giants, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Industries Limited.
Also present were Deputy Governor Aminu Alkali and top dignitaries from the public and private sectors.
The summit aims to spotlight Taraba’s untapped wealth in key sectors:
Agriculture: Fertile land and agri-value chain opportunities
Energy: Hydropower, renewables, and grid extension potential
Mining: Rich deposits of solid minerals including barite, lead, zinc, and lithium
Industrialisation: Infrastructure reforms and manufacturing zones
“Taraba is no longer Nigeria’s best-kept secret. It’s now open for business,” Governor Kefas declared during his keynote.
The summit is part of a broader push by Taraba State to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and forge public-private partnerships (PPPs) that can stimulate inclusive growth, employment, and innovation across the region.
Shettima praised the state government for its forward-looking policies, describing the summit as “a critical catalyst for real development.”
“This is the kind of proactive leadership we need across Nigeria — bold, inclusive, and investment-driven,” he said.
With a revitalized airport and an ambitious investment agenda, Taraba State is charting a bold new path — one that blends infrastructure upgrades with global investor outreach to unlock its vast natural potential.
