NGF and UNDP Strengthen Partnership to Boost Investments, Sustainable Growth Across Nigerian States
In a renewed push to accelerate economic development across Nigeria, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has strengthened its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to drive sustainable investments and growth at the subnational level. The collaboration, discussed during a high-level meeting at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, is designed to equip Nigeria’s 36 states with innovative financing tools and stronger fiscal capacity to attract both local and global investors.
Led by UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, and Chief Economist for Africa, Dr. Raymond Gilpin, the UNDP delegation met with NGF Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, to explore ways of deepening economic inclusion and development. Shittu described the visit as “a timely step in deepening Nigeria’s subnational development agenda”, emphasizing that empowering state governments to independently attract and manage investments would help transform livelihoods and local economies.
The NGF, under Shittu’s leadership, recently launched Investopedia, a digital platform showcasing over 269 investment-ready projects across the country. The initiative aims to connect investors with viable opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, and renewable energy. According to Shittu, the next phase of collaboration with the UNDP will focus on three pillars — strengthening states’ fiscal and institutional capacity, building frameworks for blended and innovative financing, and creating a pipeline of bankable projects aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNDP’s Attafuah reaffirmed the agency’s long-standing commitment to Nigeria’s inclusive growth, noting that the partnership with NGF ensures that “no state is left behind in Nigeria’s development story.” She highlighted priority areas such as agriculture, energy transition, healthcare, education, and the digital economy — all crucial sectors for sustainable impact. Dr. Gilpin commended NGF’s efforts in creating innovative platforms that connect states with international investors, stressing that state-level development is a critical foundation for national progress.
To formalize their renewed collaboration, both parties agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will launch several strategic initiatives, including a Subnational Development Finance Lab, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Competency Framework, and a State Investment Readiness Index. These efforts, the partners said, will help strengthen governance, enhance transparency, and ensure that Nigeria’s vast opportunities translate into measurable socio-economic gains for citizens.
source: The sun