Borno secures nine investment commitments at Lagos roundtable on durable solutions

…Dangote Group allocates ₦366 million worth of shares for IDPs, returnees

…pledges scholarships for 6,000 girls

Borno State has secured nine investment commitments following a two-day private sector roundtable on durable solutions to internal displacement held in Lagos, alongside approvals for land allocation and pledges to support education, investment and sustainable livelihoods for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees.

The roundtable, held on October 8 and 9, 2026, brought together more than 20 private sector organisations from banking and finance, telecommunications, trade and commerce, impact investment, infrastructure development, housing and philanthropy.

Representatives of United Nations agencies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), also participated, alongside media representatives.

Six private sector companies signed letters of commitment on the first day, expressing interest in investing in key sectors supporting Borno State’s durable solutions agenda. Three additional organisations signed on the second day, bringing the total to nine.

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Other participating organisations collected commitment forms for further internal consultations before signing.

As part of efforts to facilitate investment, two investors applied for and received land allocation approvals on the first day. Airtel also secured right-of-way approval to erect telecommunications towers to expand connectivity across the state.

Among the major outcomes, the Dangote Group allocated shares worth ₦366 million for internally displaced persons and returnees, while the Dangote Foundation pledged scholarships for 4,000 girls over the next six years.

The commitments are expected to strengthen private sector participation in Borno’s recovery through investments that support livelihoods, improve access to services and promote the economic inclusion of communities affected by displacement.

To translate the commitments into concrete projects, the investment pipeline will be organised by sector and aligned with the relevant pillars of the Borno State 25-Year Development Plan.

The state government also outlined incentives for prospective investors, including the provision of land for industrial projects within two weeks and residential plots within 24 hours.

Other ease-of-doing-business measures include waivers and incentives, an investor-friendly business environment, an industrial hub, an international dry port and access to international markets.

The Borno State Government, GIZ and, where necessary, Dyna-vest will establish an Investment Facilitation Support Group to follow up on commitments and pledges and support projects in the pipeline.

The group will also introduce quarterly progress monitoring and reporting to track implementation, identify challenges and facilitate timely action.

The roundtable ended with a commitment to sustained engagement to turn investment interest and pledges into practical opportunities for internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities across Borno State.

This was contained in a statement signed by Dauda Iliya, Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor on Media and Spokesperson.