By Toyin Victor, Abuja
Nigeria is targeting more than 100 billion dollars in foreign investment, as over 100 global investors are expected to converge on Abuja for the International Investor Summit in November.
President of the Business Summit Group, Dato Dr. M. Haider Uzzaman, announced this in Abuja, saying the summit, scheduled for November 10 and 11 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, will bring major investors from different parts of the world to explore opportunities in Nigeria.
Uzzaman said the targeted investments will cut across oil and gas, technology, renewable energy, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism and hospitality, stressing that priority will be given to projects that are properly structured, commercially viable and ready for investment.
He said Nigeria’s large population, natural resources, oil and gas potential and expanding market continue to make the country attractive to international investors. Uzzaman also said about 58 trillion dollars in global capital is currently seeking viable investment opportunities, urging Nigeria to position itself to attract a significant share of the funds.
The Business Summit Group President, however, cautioned Nigerian project owners that investors would not simply release funds without proper assessment. He said businesses seeking investment must demonstrate sound business models, adequate documentation, professionalism, profitability and the capacity to execute proposed projects.
On the summit’s international track record, the General Manager and Group Chief Financial Officer of the Business Summit Group, Abdulazeez Jubril Salawudeen, said the organisation has held investor engagements in countries including Thailand, Canada and the United Kingdom before bringing the platform to Nigeria.
Salawudeen said Nigeria was chosen following requests from Nigerian stakeholders who participated in previous summits, noting that the country’s position as one of Africa’s largest economies, its huge population and abundant investment opportunities make it a strategic destination for global capital.
He explained that the Abuja summit is designed as a direct business matchmaking platform, where investors will meet project owners, examine proposals, negotiate terms and work towards closing investment agreements, rather than merely listening to speeches and presentations.
Uzzaman disclosed that Plateau State has attracted investment commitments valued at more than one billion dollars within the past six months, describing the development as an example of what can be achieved when governments present viable projects and engage investors directly. He also disclosed that investors from Saudi Arabia are exploring livestock and poultry production opportunities in Nigeria.
He said the expected investments could come through a combination of equity and debt financing, with equity expected to account for the larger share. Uzzaman urged state governments, entrepreneurs and private-sector project owners to prepare investment-ready proposals ahead of the November summit, saying increased foreign investment in critical sectors would create jobs, strengthen infrastructure and accelerate Nigeria’s economic development.