The unveiling took place in Abuja on Tuesday, with NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, emphasizing the urgent need for Nigeria to tap into global and African financing opportunities. AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, said the platform was structured to reposition Nigeria as a competitive investment destination.
Targeting Investment Gaps
Highlighting the challenges that have long hindered the economy, AbdulRazaq noted that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Nigeria have averaged just $2 billion annually in the past decade — less than 0.5% of GDP and mostly concentrated in a few sectors. At the same time, the country faces an estimated $100 billion annual infrastructure financing gap.
“Public projects alone cannot bridge this gap,” he said. “The NGF Investopedia is a one-stop entry point that shows investors not only where to invest, but how to invest with confidence.”
A Biennial Investment Guide
The platform, to be published every two years in both print and digital formats, will showcase major state-led projects, highlight incentives, and provide market insights across key sectors. It will also be promoted at global forums such as the UN General Assembly, the Intra-African Trade Fair, and the Africa Investment Forum.
According to AbdulRazaq, sectors such as agro-processing, renewable energy, ICT, and finance will be at the heart of the initiative, generating returns that extend beyond profits to include employment, industrial linkages, and sustainable development.
NGF Fund to Mobilise Capital
Complementing Investopedia is the NGF Fund, which will mobilise catalytic capital into state-level projects. The fund is backed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among others.
NGF Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, described the project as a turning point in Nigeria’s readiness to attract investment at the state level.
“Nigeria’s annual infrastructure gap is nearly $100 billion. By curating bankable pipelines of projects across all 36 states, Investopedia consolidates credible opportunities into one transparent gateway for investors, with institutional oversight and global visibility,” Shittu said.
Middle- Representative of Nigeria Governors' Forum Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Deputy Governors Umar Usaman Kadafur (Borno), Aminu Usaman (Jigawa), US Embassy Economic Counselor Christine Harbaugh and others at the unveiling of NGF's Investopedia in Abuja on Tuesday. Photo Credit: NGF Media Unit
International Endorsements
The launch also drew support from international partners. Afrexim Bank’s Head of Client Relations for Anglophone West Africa, Peter Olowononi, hailed the initiative as a “catalytic tool” that would connect global investors with credible subnational opportunities.
U.S. Embassy Economic Counsellor Christine Harbaugh also pledged American support, stressing the U.S. mission’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s subnational economies through trade, transparency, and governance.
Political and Stakeholder Support
The event was attended by Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, alongside Deputy Governors Umar Usman Kadafur (Borno) and Aminu Usman (Jigawa), reflecting strong buy-in across state leadership.
With Investopedia, the NGF hopes to signal a new era where state-led projects are not just aspirational but bankable, globally visible, and supported by coordinated financing mechanisms.