Resolves to hold investment clinics for government-to-government and business-to-government matching in Q3 and Q4 of 2025 and into 2026
Money, a development banker once told an audience, goes to where it is welcome. It was a gathering of state governors and representatives who had assembled at the dawn of the Fourth Republic to listen to experts and top technocrats deliver a lecture on the 101 of how to woo investment into their states. As we will admit, investment, whether foreign or domestic has become the proverbial golden fleece hotly sought after by governments worldwide. So it happens that in Nigeria, while successive presidents traverse country capitals to hold court with leaders of nations and the men with investment capital, state governors with foresight and the competitive edge make effort to make their domain attractive for investment. Over time, these states have been graded into various categories like ‘most investor friendly states, ‘states with the ease of doing business’ and other similar classifications that have been adopted to advertise the sub-nationals to the investing public.
Several factors account for the heightening quest to woo investment into their domain by leaders at both national and the sub-nationals. Like the rest of the world, Nigeria faces growing economic difficulties brought on by the aftereffects of COVID-19 pandemic, increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Europe, and pressure on global supply lines occasioned by the Trump tariff war. Nigeria’s economy, which depends mostly on primary produce, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, especially extreme weather events. While Nigerian economic growth has demonstrated some degree of tenacity in the face of these obstacles, the global economy has been reluctant to adjust to the difficulties. Despite its great expansion, Nigeria’s economy has not been able to significantly raise the typical Nigerian’s standard of living.
NGF Investopedia
Negative opinions about the country’s business climate further impede this robust economic growth. The growing sense of stability about the country’s economic trajectory is a well-deserved narrative that truly captures the positive outcome of the economic policies of the Federal Government. It is against this background that the launch, tomorrow of an Investopedia by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) becomes a revolutionary intervention that will radically open access to information on Nigeria’s sub-nationals.
It was asserted in a statement by Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the NGF Director of Media and Strategic Communications that, among other reasons, the Investopedia is to quickly narrow the gap between Nigeria’s untapped potential and global capital. Accordingly, he stated that the NGF Investopedia is a comprehensive platform designed to spotlight investment opportunities across the country’s 36 states. In his words, the event “will make a high-profile affair which will underscore the initiative’s ambition.”
The event will create a platform where Governors from all 36 states will showcase priority projects, while a ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing will formalise partnerships and lay the building block for the NGF Fund, Mr. Abdullahi said. To underscore the significance of the event, Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shall deliver a keynote to provide sovereign backing, reinforcing the platform’s legitimacy.
Investors from outside Nigeria, ambassadors, and due diligence experts from Afreximbank, MOFI, UNDP Cavista and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) will participate, with the event culminating in the distribution of the Investopedia to development finance institutions (DFIs), embassies, and private capital desks investment and business multi-sectoral business communities.
Why Investopedia?
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has long grappled with barriers to investment at the state level. Frequent government transitions create uncertainty, while poor project visibility and weak preparation deter potential backers. Despite trillions in global pension funds, sovereign wealth, and development capital waiting to be deployed, the absence of a trusted mechanism has left many viable projects on the shelf because “Nigeria lacks a trusted, coordinated vehicle to efficiently absorb and deploy this capital,”
Publishers say Investopedia is a flagship biennial publication that curates multi-sector projects, from infrastructure to agriculture, complete with data-driven analyses, policy incentives, and market insights. More than just a glossy compendium, it is envisioned as a ‘one-stop shop’ for investors – available in high-quality print and as a dynamic digital platform for matchmaking and transactions, hosted by the NGF. It is designed to attract international investor interests and amplify Nigeria’s appeal on the world stage, hitting key forums like the Intra-African Trade Fair in Algeria, the UN General Assembly in New York, and the Africa Investment Forum in Morocco.
Quick gains
Investment capital is essentially a ubiquitous but highly coveted commodity available only to sovereign entities that truly deserve it. Above all else, investment capital has the greatest phobia for risk. With recent plaudits for the management of the Nigerian economy from both local and international observers, a lot more attention shall refocus on investment opportunities in the country.
Further, the launch of the NGF Investopedia shall be handy to provide tenable narratives on persistent challenges such as low investor confidence and fragmented entry points, the initiative promises to transform how subnational projects attract funding, positioning Nigeria as a coordinated and credible destination for high-impact investments.
An engaging future
Mr. Abdullahi, in the statement under reference said the publication of Investopedia represents an international push that aims to “position the NGF as a credible investment conduit,” showcasing not just opportunities but practical pathways for engagement. He announced that the strategic goals are clear and multifaceted, all aimed at positioning the NGF as an interface with global investors, institutionalising subnational visibility, and mobilising partnerships for sustained support.
Looking ahead, the NGF outlines a robust post-launch roadmap. Investment clinics for government-to-government and business-to-government matching are slated for Q3 and Q4 of 2025 and into 2026, alongside capacity-building programs on public-private partnership (PPP) structuring and risk mitigation.
