The Nigeria Governors’ Forum said Investopedia would unlock capital, generate employment, accelerate infrastructure development, and drive economic growth across the country.

At the launch of the Forum’s Investopedia in Abuja on Tuesday, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, emphasised the need for Nigeria to harness both global and African capital financing opportunities.

AbdulRazaq explained that the NGF Investopedia was specifically designed to achieve these goals, adding that its core mission is to promote inclusive growth while positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for investors.

The Forum’s Investopedia is a biennial publication highlighting major projects across sectors, offering analyses, incentives, and market insights.

Conceived as a one-stop resource for investors, it will be produced in both print and digital formats and showcased at major global platforms such as the Intra-African Trade Fair, the UN General Assembly, and the Africa Investment Forum.

Governors Forum’s Chairman, AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said their vision is to position Nigeria’s states as a credible, competitive destination for capital and to unlock prosperity for millions of people.

He stated, “Over the last decade, the foreign direct investment inflows have averaged only $2bn annually, which is less than 0.5 per cent of GDP. These investments are mostly concentrated in oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, and agriculture.

“Despite these inflows, the annual infrastructure financing gap for Nigeria is estimated at $100bn. A gap that states bear the heaviest responsibility to bridge. Public projects alone cannot solve this problem. To unlock prosperity, we must mobilise a global and African capital finance process that creates jobs, modernizes infrastructure, and provides inclusive growth.

“This is the purpose of the NGF Investopedia: to serve as a one-stop for investors, providing credible, transparent, and curated pipelines of projects across all the 36 states of the Federation. It is not just a padlock; it is an entry point showing investors not only where to invest, but also how to invest in Nigeria with confidence.”

The NGF chairman observed that directing investments into agro-processing, finance, renewable energy, or ICT infrastructure yields benefits that go far beyond just financial gains.

He continued, “They create jobs, improve livelihoods, and drive sustainable development. The NGF Fund would complement Investopedia as a pooled investment vehicle, financing up-channel catalytic capital into various subnational projects.

“Anchored on NGF governance and credibility, and supported by MOFI, NSIA, CBN, and their advice, the NGF Fund will ensure that opportunities highlighted in the Investopedia translate into real investments on the ground.

“To our distinguished investors, both here in Nigeria and across Africa and globally, I extend this invitation. Partner with Nigeria’s states; the opportunities are vast, and the commitment is firm. With the NGF Investopedia, backed by strong partnerships and the NGF Fund, we are sending a clear signal.

“Nigerian subnationals are open, credible, and investment-ready. Together, we can bridge the infrastructure gap and unlock a new era of prosperity for our people.”

Earlier in his remarks, NGF Director General Abdulateef Shittu said the Forum’s Investopedia represents a new dawn in Nigeria’s investment readiness at the subnational level.

Shittu explained that, “The infrastructure financing gap in Nigeria is estimated at $100bn annually, nearly $1tn over the next decade. At the same time, states collectively budgeted more than 17.5 trillion for capital projects in 2025, reflecting their commitment to transform infrastructure and social services. Yet, financing constraints and fragmented entry points often prevent investors from engaging at scale.

“It is precisely this challenge that the NGF Investopedia seeks to solve. By curating bankable pipelines of projects across all 36 states, the platform provides investors a one-stop shop to engage with credible opportunities, backed by a transparent process, strong institutional oversight, and global visibility.”