House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has called for greater investment in local processing, saying Nigeria must turn its raw materials into finished products to stabilise the economy and retain more value domestically.
Abbas spoke during the inauguration of a maize flour and maize grits plant at Zazzau Industrial Park and Industries in Kaduna State. He said the 10th House of Representatives was committed to supporting honest investors and promoting industrialisation and domestic production.
The Speaker said processing agricultural products locally would strengthen food security, reduce waste and ensure more profits remain within Nigeria. He described maize processing as particularly important because the crop supports household consumption, poultry and livestock farming.
Abbas also highlighted the plant’s potential to strengthen the agricultural value chain by providing farmers with a reliable market for their produce. He said increased demand from processors could encourage farmers to expand production, raise rural incomes and reduce poverty.
He said the facility would create direct and indirect employment for factory workers, farmers, drivers, mechanics, traders and other service providers. Addressing young Nigerians, Abbas said jobs are created through investments in productive businesses rather than appearing automatically.
The Speaker also identified private-sector investment and northern economic development as key benefits of the plant. He said the North’s large agricultural base could feed Nigeria and supply industries beyond the region if adequate processing capacity, infrastructure and energy were developed.
Abbas praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and the Kaduna State Government for creating an environment favourable to investment. He pledged that the House would continue making laws and exercising oversight to protect Nigerian industries and remove policies that hinder local production.
