The Nigerian Professionals Network (NPN) and Africa Policy Conversations (AfPC) recently held a significant event at Kings House in London, aimed at mobilizing the Nigerian diaspora for national development.
Titled “Nurturing Nigeria’s Future: Mobilising Resources for Impact Investments,” the conference brought together Nigerian professionals and policymakers to discuss impactful investment opportunities in Nigeria.
The event featured robust participation and engaging discussions. Olumide Lawal, President of NPN, opened the conference by highlighting the crucial role of the diaspora in fostering resilient communities and driving economic progress in Nigeria.
A key moment of the event was a dialogue with Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, moderated by Chinenye Uwanaka. They addressed challenges such as corruption, ethnic and religious biases in investments, policy uncertainties, and efforts by Kaduna State to create a conducive investment environment.
Governor Sani emphasized Kaduna’s reforms in the business climate, removal of bureaucratic hurdles, and efforts to attract significant investments in agriculture and solid minerals. He noted that Kaduna State has attracted about $600 million worth of investments.
The session on investment opportunities highlighted the potential of Plateau and Kaduna states in agriculture, mining, and renewable energy. Although the Governor of Plateau State could not attend due to a tragic school building collapse, his representative, Mr. Manji Wilson, the Governor’s Technical Adviser, outlined key investment areas in the state. He emphasized initiatives to mechanize agriculture, develop agro-industrial hubs, and Plateau State’s plans to engage in the second phase of the Africa Development Bank Special Agro-Processing Development Project, valued at $50-100 million.
Ibrahim Mohammed, Economic Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna State, detailed Kaduna’s vast agricultural resources and mining opportunities, highlighting the state’s proactive measures in establishing special economic zones and fostering partnerships to boost economic activities.
