By within the country and abroad to jumpstart sustainable economic growth. He made the plea during the inauguration of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Bauchi, a project delivered under Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration and named after Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first Premier of Northern Nigeria.
Obasanjo argued that Nigeria already possesses significant resources and infrastructure that, if properly developed, can rival global standards.
“With what we have; we can show the world that we are part and parcel of the world,” he stated. He added that while others may flaunt more obvious assets, Nigeria’s untapped advantages are just as viable. He pointed out that some countries have fewer resources than those available here.
The former president emphasized that the ICC should not only serve as a venue for conferences and events but also as a magnet for tourism, business, and global attention. He envisioned visitors staying in nearby hotels, engaging in discussions, and turning Bauchi into a hub of attraction in Nigeria.
At the event, Obasanjo formally launched a conference themed around charting Nigeria’s investment needs. He declared, “We need to mobilise investments from local and from the international.” He also pledged to spotlight Bauchi’s opportunities on the world stage.
Governor Mohammed noted that the ICC was conceived to draw both domestic and foreign investment into the state. Meanwhile, the contractor, Reuben Okoya, said the center can host up to 3,000 attendees, with the capacity to run ten events simultaneously.
High‑profile guests at the ceremony included Vice President Kashim Shettima; Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; and deputy governors from Oyo and Plateau States, Bayo Lawal and Josephine Piyo, respectively.
