By Abiodun Abdullahi
The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) has launched Investopedia, a new investment gateway designed to position Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as credible destinations for global and domestic investors.
The platform, unveiled at a ceremony in Abuja, seeks to consolidate opportunities across agriculture, renewable energy, ICT, finance, and infrastructure into a single entry point for potential investors. It is expected to improve transparency, simplify access to projects, and reduce the risks often associated with investing in Nigeria.
Tackling a financing gap
Launching the initiative, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said Nigeria must urgently mobilise alternative financing to bridge its massive infrastructure gap, estimated at $100 billion annually.
"Over the last decade, foreign direct investment inflows have averaged only $2 billion annually—less than 0.5 percent of GDP and concentrated in just a few sectors. Public projects alone cannot bridge this deficit," AbdulRazaq explained in remarks delivered on his behalf by Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
According to him, Investopedia will be published biennially, both in print and digital formats, featuring credible, bankable state projects across sectors. It will also be showcased at international forums including the UN General Assembly, the Intra-African Trade Fair, and the Africa Investment Forum.
"This is not just a brochure; it is a tool that shows investors not only where to invest, but how to invest with confidence," the NGF Chairman said.
What the platform offers
The Director-General of the NGF, Abdulateef Shittu, described Investopedia as a "new dawn" for sub-national investment readiness in Nigeria.
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He said the platform focuses on three objectives:
1. Simplifying access for investors by consolidating projects across states into a single transparent gateway.
2. Building confidence through due diligence and credible project data.
3. Fostering partnerships that include financing, technical assistance, and risk management.
"With Investopedia, we are moving from simply talking about Nigeria's investment potential to presenting actionable and bankable opportunities," Shittu noted.
Broad partnerships
The project was developed in collaboration with state investment agencies, NGF technical teams, and partners including Afreximbank, UNDP, and the Ministry of Finance. It will be complemented by the NGF Fund, supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), to mobilise catalytic capital for state-level projects.
International partners have also pledged support. Afreximbank's Head of Client Relations for Anglophone West Africa, Peter Olowononi, described Investopedia as a "catalytic tool" to connect credible state-led opportunities with global financing.
US Embassy Economic Counsellor, Christine Harbaugh, assured of Washington's support, saying the United States is committed to strengthening sub-national economies in Nigeria by promoting trade, transparency, and good governance.
Boosting investor confidence
Observers note that Nigeria's states, despite their vast natural and human resources, have long struggled to attract large-scale investment because of policy inconsistency, poor infrastructure, and security challenges. By consolidating verified investment opportunities under institutional oversight, the NGF hopes to reduce these barriers and restore investor confidence.
"This is a signal to global markets that Nigeria's sub-nationals are investment-ready," AbdulRazaq declared. "Together, through Investopedia and the NGF Fund, we can bridge the infrastructure gap and unlock a new era of prosperity for our people."
