Nigeria’s 36 state governors have launched a landmark investment platform, “NGF Investopedia,” aimed at attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to the country’s subnational economies.
The initiative was unveiled at an event in Abuja, signaling a new push to mobilize capital and enhance investment readiness across all states.
Despite Nigeria’s large market potential, annual FDI inflows average only $2 billion, representing less than 0.5 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The platform seeks to address this underperformance by providing investors with credible, transparent, and curated project pipelines.
Abdulateef Shittu, Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), highlighted the country’s $100 billion annual infrastructure financing gap, which could accumulate to nearly $1 trillion over the next decade.
He explained that while states budgeted over ₦17.5 trillion for capital projects in 2025, financing constraints and fragmented entry points often prevent large-scale investor engagement.
“NGF Investopedia provides a one-stop shop for investors, offering bankable project pipelines backed by transparency and strong institutional oversight,” Shittu said.
The platform is designed to streamline investment processes, allowing both global and African investors to identify, evaluate, and fund opportunities with confidence.
NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stressed the need to diversify FDI beyond traditional sectors like oil, gas, telecommunications, real estate, and agriculture. He noted that African Direct Investment (ADI) is growing, with investors from South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and Ghana entering sectors such as fintech, banking, agribusiness, and infrastructure, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
AbdulRazaq emphasized that public budgets alone cannot bridge the infrastructure gap, and mobilizing both global and African capital is essential for creating jobs and modernizing infrastructure.
The biennial NGF Investopedia publication will highlight major projects, sector analyses, market insights, and investment incentives, serving as a strategic entry point for investors seeking subnational opportunities in Nigeria.
The launch of NGF Investopedia marks a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s investment landscape. By curating transparent, bankable projects across all 36 states, the platform aims to catalyze inclusive growth, attract more FDIs, and unlock the country’s untapped economic potential.
