Adamawa Business Community Meets Ribadu, Seeks Economic-Security Partnership 

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Abuja

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has received a delegation of 104 prominent business leaders from Adamawa State, led by the North-East Zonal Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, PhD.

The engagement focused on exploring business opportunities across Adamawa State, the North-East subregion

The meeting is in a move to bolster economic development and regional stability.

Held at the NSA’s office in Abuja, the engagement focused on exploring business opportunities across Adamawa State, the North-East subregion, and the country at large, while also addressing key security challenges affecting the business climate.

In his remarks, Mallam Ribadu reiterated the federal government’s commitment in line with the renewed hope agenda of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackling insecurity and fostering economic prosperity.

While noting that both business and security are inseparably linked, Ribadu stressed that security provides the enabling environment for economic activity to flourish, attract investment, and promote inclusive growth and not just limited to the safety of citizens.

“This administration is deeply aware that security underpins economic freedom and development. Our efforts are geared toward creating a stable environment where businesses can thrive without fear,” the NSA said.

This administration is deeply aware that security underpins economic freedom and development

Comrade Mustapha Salihu, a respected businessman and philanthropist, expressed appreciation for the NSA’s open-door approach and emphasised the need for stronger synergy between government institutions and the private sector.

He noted that the delegation included both local and diaspora entrepreneurs who are eager to contribute meaningfully to national growth.

Also present at the high-level engagement were notable figures such as the Wali of Adamawa, Alhaji Aminu Abdulkadir; oil and gas magnate, Alhaji Abdullahi Haske; and Managing Director/CEO of Suntrust Bank, Mrs. Halima Buba.

Our efforts are geared toward creating a stable environment where businesses can thrive without fear

Others included executives from Gamzaki Business Forum, pharmaceutical stakeholders, trade and services professionals, and heads of financial institutions.

Members of the delegation outlined specific challenges confronting their sectors, ranging from insecurity and infrastructure deficits to regulatory bottlenecks. They pledged their full support to the NSA’s security initiatives and called for sustained collaboration to unlock the region’s economic potential.

The meeting, which ended on a note of optimism, marks a significant step in aligning private sector aspirations with the federal government’s security and development priorities.