"Taraba Needs More Industries Not Hotels & Beer Parlours": Taraba State's Investment Crisis [Too Many Hotels, Not Enough Industries + Why It Kills Us]

Taraba’s Misplaced Focus — Why We Keep Building Hotels and Beer Parlours Instead of Opportunities

→ This resource will expose the current mindset in Taraba: why investors, elites, and locals rush to build hotels and beer parlours instead of production-based ventures.

→ I dive into Taraba’s raw potential — land, youth, agriculture, energy, tourism, manufacturing prospects — and how neglecting industry is a silent tragedy.

🔥 Ready?

Let’s begin, IbiFounder!

‘Taraba Needs More Hotels Than Beer Parlours’: Why I’m Betting on Industries Over Hotels and Beer Parlours

Let me start with a simple, yet haunting question — how many hotels or beer parlours can a state have before it runs out of ideas?

If you’ve walked through Jalingo lately, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

Every street corner is home to one of two things: a new hotel or a freshly painted beer parlour.

Everyone seems to believe that the next big business idea is another “Executive Suite” or “VIP Lounge.”

But here’s the painful truth — while Taraba keeps building hotels and beer spots, we’re losing sight of the real foundation of progress: industries.

When I talk about industries, I’m not only referring to factories with machines humming all day.

I mean industries that process our crops, employ our youths, and multiply value in our local economy — from rice milling and cassava processing to furniture production and tech-based manufacturing.

Yet, what we’ve built instead are countless places for leisure and alcohol.

And while leisure has its place, it doesn’t build the kind of future we need.

I remember passing by a popular hotel in Lasandi — once the pride of its street. It had everything: lights, music, and an impressive name.

But one day, the unthinkable happened — a fire burned it down. 

And just like that, everything was gone. No jobs saved, no innovation lost, no lasting legacy left behind.

That story is a perfect reflection of what’s happening in our economy.

We’re building smoke, not structure.

The real problem is the mindset. Investors want quick profits, not sustainable growth.

People see hospitality as glamorous — something to show off, not something to build upon.

And truthfully, many just don’t want to go through the “stress” of production or manufacturing.

But this mindset is keeping Taraba stagnant.

Our youths are creative, our lands are fertile, our location is strategic (right in the middle of Nigeria, bordering six states), yet the state keeps looking in the wrong direction.

The irony?

Every other week, another ribbon is cut at the opening of a new hotel.

I’m not saying hotels or bars shouldn’t exist. I’m saying they shouldn’t be our primary dream.

Because at the end of the day, you can’t drink your way into development. You can’t “beer parlour” your way into GDP growth.

Industries are what sustain cities.

Hotels are what entertain them.

The time has come for us to shift focus from consumption to creation — from leisure to legacy.

And that’s why I’m betting on industries, not hotels. Because while hotels fill nights, industries fill futures.

The Reality of Taraba’s Economic Potential — We’re Sitting on Gold but Building Beer Parlours

Taraba State is one of the richest lands in Nigeria — not in money, but in untapped potential.

Let’s start from Ibi.

Ibi sits by the River Benue — a natural trade route that can power logistics, fish processing, agriculture, and even small-scale shipbuilding if we dared to dream.

Yet, what do we find there?

Beer joints by the riverside.

Takum is home to agriculture and creativity.

Bali has fertile lands perfect for food processing and livestock production.

Wukari has a growing population that can sustain mid-scale manufacturing.

Jalingo, the capital, is evolving into a commercial hub with opportunities for packaging plants, tech startups, printing presses, recycling industries, and even renewable energy.

But instead of attracting investors to build in these sectors, we attract more bars.

It’s heartbreaking because the numbers are in our favor.

Taraba has more than 2.5 million young people between the ages of 18 and 35 — energetic, talented, and unemployed.

Imagine if just 5% of them worked in a local industry producing paint, plastic, paper, or food packaging.

We’d not only reduce unemployment but also start exporting value.

Industries create ecosystems, not just businesses.

When a rice processing factory opens, it empowers farmers, transporters, marketers, and logistics operators.

When a furniture company starts, it activates carpenters, suppliers, and designers.

That’s the multiplier effect hotels can never give you.

And let’s talk about return on investment — industrial investments yield longer, steadier profits than hotels that peak only during holidays and weddings.

The real money is in products that solve daily needs, not rooms that get booked occasionally.

But here’s where I think Taraba is missing its biggest opportunity: we don’t have enough “smart investors.”

People are scared of industrial risk, yet they invest millions in hotels that take years to break even.

It’s not a lack of capital — it’s a lack of courage and vision.

That’s why I founded IbiFoundry.

We’re not just an organization; we’re a call to action.

We’re building a system to attract investors into Taraba’s real economy — agriculture, manufacturing, tech, and export — not just hospitality.

Because I’ve realized that while many are opening beer parlours, we’re opening blueprints.

Taraba is a goldmine, but we’re digging with teaspoons.

I believe we can change that narrative.

If we start seeing our local produce — rice, yam, cassava, wood, honey, and leather — as global export material, we’ll begin to design an economy that lasts.

12 Industry Ideas Taraba Can Build in 2025 (More Profitable Than Hotels)

When people hear “industry,” they imagine something massive — heavy machines, large buildings, and foreign investors in helmets.

But truth be told, an industry begins with an idea that solves a problem locally and creates value sustainably.

In Taraba, we have more than enough potential to build thriving industries that outperform hotels in long-term value and job creation.

Below are 12 realistic industry ideas that can transform our economy in 2025 — each one already feasible with our resources, land, and manpower.

1. Rice Processing and Packaging Industry

Taraba’s plains, especially around Lau and Karim Lamido, are known for rice cultivation. Yet, we still ship most of our raw rice to other states for milling.

Imagine building a medium-scale rice mill right here — creating jobs for 200+ people, buying directly from local farmers, and packaging “Proudly Taraba Rice.”

That’s not a dream — it’s an opportunity hiding in plain sight.

2. Cassava Processing Industry

Cassava is everywhere — from Ardo Kola to Takum. But we rarely process it into flour, ethanol, or animal feed.

An ethanol or garri factory can turn small-scale farmers into suppliers and produce exportable goods for Nigeria’s food industry.

3. Timber and Furniture Manufacturing

Taraba’s forests — especially around Kurmi, Sardauna, and Bali — contain quality timber.

Instead of exporting raw wood, we could build furniture design hubs that craft modern Nigerian-style furniture for homes, schools, and offices.

Imagine “Made in Taraba” tables and chairs in Abuja schools — that’s what I call transformation.

4. Honey and Bee Product Industry

Mambilla Plateau honey is world-class. Yet, we sell it in reused bottles without branding.

We could easily establish a honey processing and packaging plant that supplies supermarkets nationwide.

From candles to natural cosmetics — honey is gold.

5. Fruit Juice and Bottling Plant

Taraba produces oranges, pineapples, and mangoes in abundance.

A fruit juice factory in Jalingo or Takum can turn fruit waste into bottled juice or pulp exports — directly competing with imported drinks.

6. Local Paper and Printing Industry

Nigeria imports most of its paper. But Taraba has the potential to produce small-scale recycled paper.

Combine this with a printing press and packaging design studio — now you’ve got an ecosystem serving schools, churches, and local businesses.

7. Animal Feed and Livestock Industry

With so much livestock in Taraba, an animal feed mill is a low-risk, high-return business.

It supports cattle owners, poultry farmers, and butchers — multiplying jobs from feed production to sales.

8. Renewable Energy and Solar Assembly Plant

Power is one of Taraba’s biggest bottlenecks. But what if instead of waiting for the grid, we assembled small solar kits locally?

Imagine an Ibi Solar Assembly Hub, training youths to build, fix, and install panels — empowering homes while creating new skill-based jobs.

9. Agro-Tech & Software Industry

The world is moving digital — and so should we.

We can incubate agricultural software startups that help farmers monitor crops, sell produce, or track market prices.

That’s an industry too — the tech industry, right from Taraba.

10. Construction Material Production (Bricks, Cement Mixes, Paints)

Every building in Taraba buys cement, paint, and tiles from outside the state.

A small-scale paint or brick-making factory can change that.

Investors can partner with local engineers to produce eco-friendly building materials made in Taraba.

11. Textile & Fashion Industry

Taraba has abundant cotton-growing potential.

Add fashion designers, tailors, and branding experts — and you can create a local Taraba Textile Line.

From uniforms to traditional attire, we can employ thousands of youths and revive our cultural pride.

12. Plastic Recycling & Packaging Industry

Plastic waste is everywhere. But what if we turned it into packaging, buckets, or roofing sheets?

That’s an industry of the future — sustainable, green, and profitable.

Each of these industries could employ 100–500 people directly, and thousands indirectly.

Hotels might employ 20 or 30. But industries build cities.

That’s why I keep saying: Taraba doesn’t lack money — it lacks mindset and direction.

Taraba vs Abuja vs Lagos — Why Starting in Taraba Might Be the Smartest Move for Investors

Now let’s talk about the biggest myth in Nigeria’s business world:

“If it’s not in Lagos or Abuja, it won’t succeed.”

That’s the biggest lie keeping Taraba poor.

Here’s the truth — Taraba is one of the most strategic states for startup and industrial investment in Northern Nigeria.

Let’s break it down using simple numbers and logic.

1. Cost of Operation

In Abuja, renting a commercial space can cost between ₦1 million and ₦5 million per year.

In Jalingo, you can get similar space for ₦200,000–₦500,000.

That’s a savings margin of over 70% — money that can go into machinery, staff, or marketing.

You’re literally paying less to earn more.

2. Labour Advantage

Taraba has one of the youngest, most hardworking populations in the North.

You don’t need to “import” staff or pay Lagos-level salaries. You can train locals and build loyalty faster.

And because cost of living is low, salaries stretch further, reducing turnover.

3. Resource Proximity

While Abuja imports raw materials, Taraba produces them.

Agriculture, livestock, timber, and water resources are right at your doorstep.

Less transportation means lower production costs — and higher margins.

4. Untapped Market

In Lagos, every industry niche is saturated. In Taraba, almost every sector is virgin territory.

Be the first to start a bottling plant, a honey brand, or a renewable energy company — and you instantly dominate the market.

5. Government Incentives

Taraba’s government is increasingly open to partnerships that attract employment and industrialization.

With proper proposals and visibility (like what we do at IbiFoundry), investors can access tax breaks, land support, and infrastructure negotiations.

6. Security and Lifestyle

Contrary to outsider fears, Taraba is peaceful in most areas, especially Jalingo, Bali, and Ibi.

Business owners enjoy calmer environments and more stable communities compared to chaotic metro centers.

7. Long-Term Scalability

When you start in Taraba, your expenses are low, but your scalability is high.

You can reinvest faster, hire more, and build gradually without the pressure of overspending on rent, marketing, and logistics.

Example Comparison

Location Annual Rent Staff Cost Power / Logistics Profit Margin

Lagos ₦3,500,000 ₦2,000,000 High 10–20%

Abuja ₦2,800,000 ₦1,800,000 Medium 15–25%

Jalingo (Taraba) ₦500,000 ₦1,000,000 Low 40–60%

So why are investors ignoring this goldmine?

Because Taraba isn’t trending yet.

Because we’re not talking loudly enough.

Because too many of our smartest people are building hotels, not history.

At IbiFoundry, our mission is to change that narrative — to build partnerships that see Taraba as an opportunity zone, not a rural space.

Investing in Taraba now is like buying land in Lekki in 2001.

Nobody understood it then — but those who did are billionaires today.

The difference is: this time, we’re building industries, not hotels.

Perfect ✅

Here’s Stage 3C — your next two Heading 2 sections, written in full IbiFoundry Master V format: emotionally intelligent, investor-inviting, and purpose-driven.

How IbiFoundry Plans to Bridge Investors, Innovators, and the State

Every change begins with a bridge — a link between those who have the resources and those who have the ideas.

In Taraba, that bridge hasn’t existed for a long time.

Investors stay in Lagos. Innovators stay silent. Government programs stay on paper.

That’s exactly the gap IbiFoundry was created to close.

We’re not just an organization — we’re an interface.

Our goal is to help investors see what Taraba truly offers, and to help local innovators structure their ideas into investable opportunities.

Here’s how we plan to make that happen.

1. The IbiFoundry Investment Desk

We’re building a dedicated Investment Desk that profiles viable industrial opportunities across Taraba — from honey packaging plants in Sardauna to small solar-assembly hubs in Jalingo.

The desk will prepare clear investment documents, feasibility studies, and ROI projections, connecting investors directly to implementers.

Instead of waiting for chance, we’ll create channels of access.

2. The Taraba Innovation Map

Through our network of researchers and youth ambassadors, IbiFoundry is mapping Taraba’s resources by what they can become, not just what they are.

We’re developing a database that shows:

• What crops grow where

• What industries can thrive in each LGA

• What skill levels are available locally

This map becomes the compass for every investor who wants to build with precision — not assumption.

3. IbiFoundry Academy

We’re establishing a training ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurs who think industrially, not socially.

Our Academy will teach:

• Industrial entrepreneurship

• Manufacturing design

• Brand development for local goods

• Investor communication

Because the truth is, many Tarabans have great ideas — they just need structure, mentorship, and exposure.

4. Partnership with the State

We’re working to create a roundtable between the Taraba State Government, private investors, and local innovators.

This isn’t politics — it’s purpose.

Through MoUs and open collaboration, we want to attract policy incentives and funding schemes that make building industries easier than opening another bar.

5. Global Exposure for Local Products

Through our digital media presence — IbiFoundry.com.ng, our blog, and social channels — we’re telling Taraba’s stories in a new light.

Every product, every innovation, every farm that deserves global attention will find a platform through us.

Because it’s not just about building factories — it’s about building reputation for the state.

6. The Foundry Fund

Our long-term goal is to establish The IbiFoundry Investment Fund, a community-backed micro-investment pool that allows individuals to co-invest in local industries safely.

It’s crowdfunding with structure — empowering Tarabans to own a share of their state’s future.

IbiFoundry isn’t just building industries — we’re building hope.

We believe in a Taraba that exports products, not people; innovation, not imitation.

Real Stories: Hotels Burn, Industries Build

Let me take you back to a scene that shaped my conviction.

It was late evening, sometime in Jalingo. The sky was red with smoke.

One of the popular hotels — “Hotel de La ____” — was on fire. People gathered, watching helplessly.

Within minutes, millions of naira turned to ashes.

I stood there thinking: this can’t be the dream.

We build hotels that can vanish overnight, but we ignore industries that could outlive us.

When a hotel burns, the state mourns for a day.

When an industry rises, generations celebrate for decades.

The Story of a Local Tailor

There’s a tailor in Wukari — I won’t mention his name, but he started with just two machines.

Today, he supplies uniforms to schools in Takum, Jalingo, and even Nasarawa.

He employs 18 people — and has never needed to hang a neon sign or serve alcohol to make profit.

That’s an industry. Quiet. Productive. Consistent.

The Difference Between Fame and Foundation

Hotels buy fame; industries build foundation.

One gives you a name on a billboard; the other gives you names on payroll.

I’ve met people who owned three hotels but can’t maintain one because of inconsistent power, low patronage, and over-saturation.

Meanwhile, a woman running a local soap-production business in Lau has quadrupled her income in five years — and trained 40 women in her community.

That’s where the future lies — not in rooms that sleep, but in systems that work.

When We Build, We Heal

Industries don’t just build wealth; they build dignity.

When a young person earns income from real production — not from serving drinks or cleaning rooms — it changes how they see themselves.

That’s what Taraba needs. A dignity-based economy.

The Long-Term View

A hotel might generate profit for two or three years. But industries create legacy wealth.

The first cocoa factories in Western Nigeria are still creating descendants of prosperity today.

That’s the path Taraba can take — from Mambilla to Gassol, from Bali to Ibi.

At IbiFoundry, we’re collecting these stories — the people who prove that creation beats consumption.

Because when we tell enough stories, the narrative changes, and investors start listening.

Taraba doesn’t just need more awareness. It needs more examples.