LAGOS, Sept. 1, 2026 — Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has stepped up his drive to attract private capital into the state, urging investors to explore the vast economic opportunities available across key sectors of the state’s economy.
Lawal made the appeal in Lagos while delivering a Special Policy Address at the 2026 CEO Forum organised by the Global Compact Network Nigeria.
The forum, themed “Financing a Dignified Future: Aligning Business Action, Policy and Capital,” attracted leading business executives, government officials, diplomats, trade commissioners and representatives of international development organisations.
With top players from the oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, construction and infrastructure sectors in attendance, the governor used the platform to highlight the need for stronger partnerships between government and the private sector.
Lawal said the growing competition among Nigerian states for private investment meant governments must do more than advertise their economic potentials.
According to him, states seeking to attract serious investors must create an environment where capital can operate with confidence while ensuring that investments translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
He explained that his administration was focused on closing the gap between Zamfara’s economic opportunities and actual investment by strengthening policies, building investor confidence and developing partnerships capable of unlocking private capital.
The governor stressed that identifying opportunities was only the first step, arguing that investors also needed the right policies, infrastructure, partnerships and assurances before committing substantial resources.
The CEO Forum provided an avenue for participants to examine how government policies, corporate strategies and investment capital could be better aligned to stimulate productive economic activity.
Participants also considered ways of unlocking financing for businesses and projects with significant growth potential but which currently face difficulties in accessing capital.
A major theme of the discussions was the “Dignity Dividend” — an investment-driven approach aimed at ensuring that economic expansion produces quality jobs, stronger enterprises, higher productivity, local value creation and greater economic participation.
The organisers further challenged participants to move beyond discussions by identifying concrete commitments and partnerships that could be implemented within the next six to 12 months.
Among the prominent business leaders represented at the forum were chief executives from First Bank Group, Access Bank, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Nigerian Exchange Group, Chellarams Plc, SecureID Group and Greenwich Merchant Bank Plc.
The event also featured plans for a live demonstration of the Business Value and Sustainability Platform (BVSP), conceived as a continuing coalition connecting businesses, investors and policymakers.
The platform is expected to provide a sustained mechanism for collaboration and contribute to Nigeria’s private-sector engagement during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.
Governor Lawal’s appearance at the high-level gathering underscores his administration’s efforts to reposition Zamfara as an investment destination, expand its economic base and attract productive capital capable of creating jobs, supporting businesses and improving livelihoods across the state.
For Zamfara, the message from Lagos was clear: the state is looking beyond government spending and is opening its doors wider to investors ready to turn its economic potential into real opportunities for its people.
Source:@ZagazolaMakama
About The Author
