By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has launched a new investment platform, Investopolia, in Algeria to boost the flow of capital into Nigerian states and position them as credible investment destinations.
Speaking at the unveiling, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said the initiative reflects the governors’ shared commitment to unlocking economic opportunities across subnational economies. He described Investopolia as “a living platform” that will evolve to channel investment into impactful and sustainable projects.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, currently attracts about $2 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) annually less than 0.5 per cent of GDP. Most inflows have gone into oil and gas, telecoms, real estate, and agriculture. Abiodun noted that while these sectors remain vital, they fall short of capturing the breadth of opportunities required for transformational growth.
He highlighted that African direct investment into Nigeria is expanding, with South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, and Morocco deepening footprints in banking, fintech, agribusiness, and infrastructure. With AfCFTA in place, he said, the timing is right for a credible subnational platform that connects investors with bankable projects.
Investopolia is designed as a transparent one-stop hub that presents a curated pipeline of investment-ready projects across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The platform is supported by Afreximbank, which will provide innovative financing tools; the UNDP, which is helping states strengthen institutional capacity; and private financial partners expected to mobilise blended finance.
Alongside Investopolia, the NGF has developed the NGF Fund, a pooled investment vehicle aimed at attracting catalytic capital. Backed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Central Bank of Nigeria, Afreximbank, and other institutions, the fund is expected to translate identified opportunities into real investments.
Governor Abiodun stressed that investments facilitated through Investopolia will generate jobs, improve infrastructure, and foster inclusive growth. “When an investor builds a road, funds an agro-processing facility, or supports renewable energy, the impact goes far beyond profit. These are investments in our people and our future,” he said.
He invited investors from within Nigeria, across Africa, and globally to partner with states, declaring, “The opportunities are vast. The commitment is firm. The time is now. Nigerian subnationals are open, credible, and investment-ready.”
