By John Alechenu, Abuja

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has emphasised the need for visionary leadership to ensure Nigeria’s mineral resources are not only extracted but effectively managed for the benefit of citizens.

Sule made the remark in Abuja on Monday following his investiture as Patron of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.

He noted that all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, are endowed with mineral resources that can be developed and value-added before export.

The governor explained that this approach underpins his administration’s policy of providing incentives to investors while also creating an enabling environment that encourages local processing of mineral resources.

“We have the largest lithium company in Nasarawa State. The marble used at Abuja Airport and elsewhere was extracted from our rocks and processed locally,” he said.

Sule also commended the NIPR for promoting sustainable leadership and professionalism.

“I believe leadership is critical for Nigeria to realise its full potential. That is why I have a keen interest in NIPR’s efforts to nurture and promote leadership,” he added.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen professional capacity and enhance Nigeria’s global reputation.

Earlier, NIPR President, Ike Neliaku, praised the governor’s vision, noting that Nasarawa State’s reputation score rose from 30.4 per cent in 2004 to 83.6 per cent in 2026.

Neliaku attributed the improvement to Sule’s decisive leadership and responsiveness to recommendations by the institute, adding that these qualities earned him the NIPR Leadership Prize.

Also speaking, Prof. Vincent Anibogu, Director-General of the Institute for National Transformation and adviser to the Ugandan government on national orientation, urged the institute and promoters of the Public Relations and Leadership University, Gudi, to produce graduates equipped to solve real-world problems.

“Our current model has failed us. We are producing graduates who cannot produce anything. We must begin to train graduates who can solve real problems,” he said.

He added that such a shift would position Nigeria to fulfil its leadership role in Africa and beyond.