Useni Moves to Unlock Taraba’s Investment Potential
By Eyiseh Useni Duna and Mercy Babangida
Jibril N. Useni is setting an ambitious course to reposition Taraba Investment and Properties Limited (TIPL) as a commercially viable institution capable of generating revenue, attracting investment and supporting economic development.
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Since assuming office on March 16, 2026, the Managing Director has prioritised the recovery of government properties, revival of agro-industrial ventures, expansion of mass housing and improvement of staff welfare.
In an exclusive interview with Worldview Magazines at his Jalingo office, Useni described his appointment as an honour and an opportunity to deploy decades of professional experience in service of his home state.
“I feel highly honoured and humbled by the appointment,” he said, thanking Governor Agbu Kefas for entrusting him with the leadership of the company.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Useni retired from the Federal Civil Service in 2019 as Director of Administration and Finance. He also served as a Tax Appeal Commissioner in Ibadan and Jos and established Jibril & Co., his chartered accountancy firm, in 1997.
His previous role as TIPL’s external auditor for more than a decade, he said, gave him valuable insight into the company’s challenges and untapped opportunities.
Recovering Assets, Restoring Value
A major priority is to establish a comprehensive register of government-owned properties, beginning with assets in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and Yola before extending the exercise to properties within Taraba.
The initiative will document the assets, assess their condition, identify underutilised properties and determine their revenue potential. Useni also plans to recover government-owned landed properties and ensure that rental income is properly collected and remitted.The objective is to turn dormant assets into productive resources while strengthening accountability and internally generated revenue.
He also intends to address poor staff morale through improved welfare and professional training, describing human capital development as essential to the company’s recovery.
Reviving Agro-Industrial Investments
Agriculture and agro-processing feature prominently in Useni’s strategy. TIPL established Taraba Oil Mills Company Limited in Baissa and Viva Feed Mills Limited in Zing, among other ventures. Efforts are underway to revive Viva Feed Mills, while agricultural experts have been engaged to oversee the Baissa palm plantation, where 3,500 palm seedlings were planted in September 2026.
The next phase is a palm seedling production programme at the company’s Jalingo premises, scheduled to begin around March 2027, with a target of approximately 10,000 improved seedlings for sale to farmers. Useni is also seeking funds to expand Taraba Oil Mills through the acquisition of modern machinery. Although its palm oil has received approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), existing production capacity remains inadequate to meet market demand. The planned expansion is expected to strengthen local processing and create greater value for agricultural produce.
Housing and Investment Opportunities
TIPL is working to revive the Mile 6 Estate in Jalingo, a 104-house project stalled by challenges involving the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Discussions are ongoing to resolve the issues. The company also plans to acquire land in Jalingo, Wukari and Takum for new mass housing estates. According to Useni, the FMBN has agreed to finance construction once suitable land is made available.
Beyond housing, he identifies agriculture, solid minerals, tourism and agro-processing as sectors with significant investment potential. Taraba’s approximately 56,282-square-kilometre landmass, fertile agricultural areas and water resources, including the Benue, Taraba and Donga rivers, offer opportunities for commercial farming and industrial development. He is urging investors to look beyond existing challenges and explore these opportunities.
The 12-Month Test
Within his first year, Useni hopes to record measurable progress in asset recovery, staff welfare, agricultural investment, housing development and the strengthening of existing businesses. For Taraba Investment and Properties Limited, the challenge is to translate these commitments into tangible results. Recovering public assets, reviving struggling enterprises and expanding productive investments will require effective execution, transparency and sustained government support.
Useni’s vision is to build a stronger, more productive company that contributes meaningfully to Taraba’s economic growth while opening new opportunities for investors, farmers, young people and the wider population.
