Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has identified Nigeria\u2019s North Central region as a major catalyst for the nation\u2019s non-oil export growth, citing its rich mineral endowments and vast agricultural potential.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the commissioning of the new 250-seater Senator George Akume Conference Centre at the North Central Zonal Office of the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council (NSC) in Jos, Akume said the region has what it takes to drive Nigeria\u2019s economic diversification agenda if logistics and transport infrastructure continue to improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith improved logistics infrastructure, this region can become a key driver of Nigeria\u2019s diversification agenda,\u201d the SGF declared.<\/p>\n
He praised the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for their \u201ccommitment and vision\u201d in advancing the nation\u2019s logistics and maritime systems, describing the newly commissioned edifice as \u201ca statement of vision and a reflection of the renewed energy driving Nigeria\u2019s port and logistics system under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.\u201d<\/p>\n
Akume stressed that robust infrastructure remains the foundation of sustainable economic growth, noting that efficient ports, roads, railways, and dry ports are the \u201carteries through which the lifeblood of commerce flows.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to him, the Tinubu administration\u2019s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises investment in critical transport and trade infrastructure \u2014 from coastal areas to inland regions \u2014 to enhance national connectivity and competitiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are building an economy that thrives on connectivity,\u201d Akume said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn economy where a farmer in Benue can ship produce seamlessly to Lagos Port, and an exporter in Jos can access global markets without unnecessary bottlenecks.\u201d<\/p>\n
He commended the Executive Secretary of the Shippers\u2019 Council, Barrister Pius Akuta, for the agency\u2019s efforts in regulating port economics and fostering fairness, efficiency, and innovation in Nigeria\u2019s maritime sector. Akume particularly highlighted the Council\u2019s strides in bridging the gap between seaports and inland areas through the establishment of Inland Dry Ports and zonal coordination offices.<\/p>\n
The SGF added that the newly commissioned conference centre would serve as a hub for stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, and capacity building within the country\u2019s maritime and logistics ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Akume also called for deeper collaboration between government, the private sector, development partners, and host communities to sustain infrastructure development efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernment cannot achieve this vision alone,\u201d he said. \u201cLet us view infrastructure not merely as government projects, but as national assets that require protection, maintenance, and innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25cf Source<\/strong>: Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has identified Nigeria\u2019s North Central region as a major catalyst for the nation\u2019s non-oil export growth, citing its rich mineral endowments and vast agricultural potential. Speaking at the commissioning of the new 250-seater Senator George Akume Conference Centre at the North Central Zonal Office […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":95690,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[4539,2292,3245],"class_list":["post-95688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-akume","tag-non-oil","tag-north-central"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=95688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95688\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/95690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=95688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=95688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=95688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nMedia Contact: Yomi Odunuga<\/strong>, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity)
\nDate: October 28, 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"