In a significant move to harness the vast economic potentials of Nigeria’s Border Communities, the Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Dr. George-Kelly D. Alabo, FNIQS, DSSRS, led a high-powered delegation on a strategic visit to the Jigawa State Governor, His Excellency Mallam Umar A. Namadi, FCA, on Wednesday, 20th August, 2025.
The meeting held in the Governor’s Office, Government House, Dutse, Jigawa State. The delegation, which included the BCDA Management Team and investors from the YangPo Global Corporation Group of China, met with His Excellency Mallam Umar A Namadi, FCA and the State Executive Council in fulfilment of an earlier promise by the BCDA to attract investors to the Maigatari Border Free Trade Zone.
In his opening remarks, Dr. George-Kelly expressed his pleasure at visiting Jigawa, a key Border State, to foster socio-economic development. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the BCDA and the Presidential Committee on Financial Inclusion to maximize opportunities for Border Communities, directly supporting Mr. President’s target of building a $1 trillion economy.
The high-level discussions centred on a comprehensive plan to establish a modern, integrated facility dedicated to cattle breeding and meat processing for export. Dr. Kelly announced a crucial milestone, that the Maigatari Free Trade Zone in Jigawa State has been selected as the pilot project for this initiative. Upon successful implementation, this model will serve as a blueprint for replication in other Border States across the Federation.
Substantiating the proposal, Dr. George-Kelly confirmed that the Chinese partners have already secured the necessary funding from various banks in China, thereby demonstrating a serious commitment to the venture. He also reiterated the BCDA’s similar mission to integrate border community residents into the Presidential Committee on Financial Inclusion programme spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President.
The Executive Secretary went further to eulogize the Executive Governor for his vision, insight and passion for the development of his state by embarking on the construction of an ongoing Cargo Airport in Dutse, which will help to ensure seamless transportation of goods from the Free Trade Zone.
In response, Governor Namadi expressed profound enthusiasm and his full endorsement for the transformative initiative. He commended Dr. Kelly for his visionary leadership since his assumption to office and recognized him for his vast understanding in the execution of the Agency’s mandate for the benefit of the people living in the Border Communities.
The Governor also appreciated Mr. President for appointing a technocrat like Dr. Kelly to head the BCDA and further acknowledged the Executive Secretary for selecting Jigawa State for the pioneer pilot project. He pledged his administration’s unwavering commitment to providing every necessary support to ensure the project’s success, noting its perfect alignment with the state’s economic diversification agenda and focus on agriculture-driven growth.
Following the productive meeting, the delegation, accompanied by senior state government officials, conducted a physical inspection of the Maigatari Free Trade Zone site and the Maigatari International Livestock Market. This firsthand tour enabled the investors and the BCDA Team to assess the location’s potential and existing infrastructure, and also had discussions based on concrete observation.
The visit concluded on a high note, with all parties expressing a shared commitment to swiftly turning the vision of a modern, export-oriented 220, 000 tons per year capacity cattle (beef) processing facility for export into a reality for the people of Jigawa and Nigeria.
Credit: Office of the Executive Secretary, BCDA.
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