From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
In a move aimed at bridging the gap between Nigeria’s vast untapped economic potential and available global capital, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is set to launch a groundbreaking platform dubbed the NGF Investopedia.
The comprehensive initiative is designed to spotlight investment opportunities across all 36 states, transforming how subnational projects attract funding and positioning Nigeria as a more credible and coordinated destination for impactful investments, according to Director of Media and Strategic Communications for the NGF, Yunusa Abdullahi.
The high profile event set for Tuesday, is expected to have governors from each state presenting priority projects in sectors ranging from infrastructure and agriculture to technology and industry. A ceremonial signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will formalise strategic partnerships and lay the foundation for the forthcoming NGF Fund, envisioned as a key financial vehicle for channeling investments into viable state-level projects.
Adding sovereign backing and credibility to the event, a keynote address from a representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will underscore the initiative’s legitimacy and strategic importance. The forum will also draw participation from an array of international stakeholders, including foreign investors, ambassadors, and due diligence experts from notable organizations such as the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Ministry of Finance Investment (MOFI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Cavista, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
The NGF Investopedia will culminate in the distribution of its bespoke publication and digital platform to development finance institutions (DFIs), diplomatic missions, and multisectoral investor communities—providing a curated, data-rich view of Nigeria’s subnational investment landscape.
Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy by population, has historically faced significant barriers to attracting investment at the state level.
Frequent changes in government, poor project visibility, and fragmented entry points have sapped investor confidence. As a result, many promising projects remain shelved even as trillions of dollars in global pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and development capital await deployment.
Speaking on the challenge, NGF officials highlight that “Nigeria lacks a trusted, coordinated vehicle to efficiently absorb and deploy this capital.”
The NGF Investopedia seeks to fill this void according to the statement by offering a flagship, biennial publication and platform that curates multi-sectoral projects complete with robust data analysis, policy incentives, and dynamic market insights. More than just a glossy compendium, the platform will serve as a ‘one-stop shop’ for potential investors, available both in high-quality print and as an interactive digital interface for matchmaking and transaction facilitation.
With plans to promote the Investopedia across major global forums—including the Intra-African Trade Fair in Algeria, the UN General Assembly in New York, and the Africa Investment Forum in Morocco—the NGF aims to elevate Nigeria’s subnational projects on the world stage and demonstrate practical pathways for investment engagement.
Strategic objectives of the initiative include establishing the NGF as a vital interface between global investors and state governments, institutionalising investment visibility at the subnational level, and mobilising sustainable partnerships that support long-term development goals.
Looking forward, the NGF has outlined a robust post-launch roadmap featuring government-to-government and business-to-government investment clinics scheduled through late 2025 and into 2026. These clinics will be complemented by capacity-building programmes centered on public-private partnership (PPP) structuring and risk mitigation—key components for ensuring the success and sustainability of funded projects.
“The NGF Investopedia represents a transformative step in unlocking Nigeria’s state-level investment potential. By providing a trusted, comprehensive platform, we can finally connect global capital with viable projects, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth”, the statement read.
