Community leaders across Nigeria have been tasked to take progressive action towards the development as the nation’s economic trajectory will increasingly be shaped by the competitiveness of its regions.
The Chairman Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Umaru Kwairanga gave the advice at the commemoration of the launch of the Corporate Nigeria Investment Forum, an initiative led by His Royal Majesty, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge.
Kwairanga said that “the ability of states and cities to originate bankable projects, attract long-term investment, and sustain enterprise growth will define the pace and quality of national development.”
“The role played by His Royal Majesty reflects an evolving and pragmatic approach to development, one where traditional institution are not only custodians of heritage, but active participants in shaping economic outcomes. By convening stakeholders, articulating a clear investment vision, and championing structured opportunities, this initiative sets a strong precedent.
It also presents a model that is scalable. If replicated across other regions, it has the potential to significantly broaden Nigeria’s investment landscape, unlocking dormant value, diversifying sources of growth, and strengthening the overall resilience of the economy,”Kwairanga said.
According to the NGX boss, “this initiative reflects a broader and necessary shift in how economic growth must be driven in Nigeria, through well-structured, investment-ready opportunities at the subnational level, connected efficiently to capital.”
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He lauded the initiative for being both timely and strategic, stating that while it is anchored in Asaba, Southern Nigeria, its significance extends well beyond a single city, creating visibility, improving coordination, and establishing a credible pathway from project conception to financing and execution.
Kwairanga, while reiterating the NGX Group’s mandate of mobilizing capital at scale and facilitating its efficient allocation to productive sectors of the economy, explained that this is achieved by providing platforms, instruments, and access that enable issuers to raise capital and investors to deploy it with confidence.
He said that “Initiatives such as the Corporate Nigeria Investment Forum strengthens the Groups mandate, as they deepen the interface between subnational opportunity and institutional capital, as well as expand the pipeline of investible assets within the market.”
The event was honoured with the ceremonial ringing of the closing gong to mark the end of the day’s trading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange.