£15 million UK Growth Initiative: Five Ways Kaduna Under Uba Sani Could Attract Major Investment

By Nasir Dambatta

When UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Baroness Jenny Chapman, arrived in Kaduna last week, the message was clear: Kaduna State is increasingly seen as one of Nigeria’s most promising destinations for investment, innovation and development. For Governor Uba Sani, the visit’s significance extends far beyond diplomatic courtesies and official photographs.

Behind the meetings and handshakes lies a compelling story told by powerful numbers: £15 million, $800 million, 500 percent, and 20 plus years.

Together, they explain why Kaduna is drawing international attention and why the state may be on the brink of an investment windfall.

First, the £15 million as fresh fuel for economic growth. The newly launched UK‑Nigeria Growth Programme, valued at £15 million, aims to attract private‑sector investment, support business expansion, deepen economic reforms and drive long‑term growth. While the programme is national in scope, Kaduna enters the conversation from a position of strength. Under Governor Uba Sani, the state has pursued reforms to improve governance, expand economic opportunities and create a more attractive environment for investors. With agriculture, manufacturing, technology, climate finance and infrastructure emerging as key priorities, Kaduna is well positioned to compete for a significant share of the opportunities expected to flow from the initiative.

Second, $800 million, proof that British capital is already looking in Kaduna’s direction. The most telling figure is not the £15 million announced today, but the nearly $800 million already invested in Nigeria by British International Investment across agriculture, clean energy and manufacturing. These are sectors where Kaduna possesses undeniable advantages. From vast agricultural land and a strategic location at the crossroads of Northern Nigeria to a growing industrial base and ongoing reforms, Kaduna offers exactly the type of environment international investors seek. The question is no longer whether British investors are interested in Nigeria; the real question is how much of that investment Kaduna can attract.

Third, the 500 percent figure mentioned earlier. It is the statistic that grabs investors’ attention. Investors focus on numbers, and few speak louder than Kaduna State’s reported 500 percent increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) under Governor Uba Sani’s administration. The growth reflects improvements in revenue administration, fiscal discipline, transparency and institutional reforms. For international partners, rising revenue signals government capacity, suggesting a state increasingly able to fund development projects, deliver public services and sustain economic growth. It is therefore unsurprising that the UK delegation commended Kaduna’s reform agenda and governance improvements during the visit.

Fourth, the 20 plus years, reflecting a partnership built on results. Unlike many relationships founded on promises, the UK‑Kaduna partnership has a long and proven history. For more than 20 years, both sides have collaborated on governance reforms, healthcare, education, agriculture, accountability programmes and public‑sector transformation. Successive UK‑backed programmes have helped shape reforms that positioned Kaduna among Nigeria’s most reform‑oriented states. This long‑standing relationship gives Kaduna something many states struggle to build: credibility. Investors and development partners are naturally drawn to environments where reforms are sustained over time rather than driven by short‑term political considerations.

Fifth, the fact that Kaduna’s population exceeds 10 million, its greatest economic asset. Beyond funding, reforms and partnerships, Kaduna’s people are its greatest strength. With a population of more than 10 million, Kaduna offers investors access to one of Nigeria’s largest consumer markets, a vast workforce and enormous entrepreneurial potential. Combined with its strategic location, extensive road and rail connections, agricultural resources and growing industrial capacity, Kaduna possesses the ingredients required for sustained economic expansion. This demographic advantage is one reason why development partners increasingly view Kaduna as a gateway to Northern Nigeria’s economy.

Some may ask why this matters. The timing could hardly be more significant. As Kaduna pushes reforms in energy, agriculture, technology and climate resilience, international confidence in the state’s direction appears to be growing. The recent UK engagement is therefore beyond diplomacy and all about opportunity. It is about a state positioning itself to attract investment, create jobs, strengthen infrastructure and expand economic opportunities for millions of residents.

The Bottom Line?
Taken together, all the issues highlighted so far point to a bigger reality: Kaduna is steadily positioning itself as one of Nigeria’s most attractive destinations for investment, reform and economic transformation. If the current momentum continues, the recent UK visit may well remain a defining moment in Kaduna’s emergence as a leading economic force under Governor Uba Sani.

*Dambatta is Senior Special Assistant on Print Media to the Governor