NGF, UNDP strengthen alliance to boost investment, growth in states

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

In a strategic move aimed at accelerating sustainable economic growth and mobilising investments at the state level, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) hosted a high-profile delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at its Abuja Secretariat.

The delegation was led by UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, alongside UNDP’s Chief Economist for Africa and Head of the Economists’ Network, Raymond Gilpin.

The meeting focused on fostering innovative financing mechanisms, reinforced the commitment to enhancing the fiscal capacity and infrastructure development across Nigeria’s 36 states.

In a statement issued by Director, Media and Strategic Communications, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Yunusa Abdullahi, the initiative is poised to help subnational governments attract and manage investment portfolios that directly impact socio-economic development.

Welcoming the UNDP team, NGF Director General, Abdulateef Shittu, described the visit as “a timely step in deepening Nigeria’s subnational development agenda.”

He emphasised the value of the partnership in helping states become more competitive and ready for investment. “Our goal is to create a pathway where subnational governments can independently attract, manage, and sustain investments that directly impact lives and livelihoods,” Shittu explained.

As part of ongoing efforts, the NGF recently launched Investopedia, a digital platform featuring over 269 investment-ready projects from all states, showcasing their readiness to drive transformation when backed by the right tools and collaborations.

The NGF DG outlined three key areas of focus for the next phase: strengthening states’ fiscal and institutional capacity, establishing frameworks for blended and innovative finance, and building a pipeline of bankable projects aligned with sustainability goals.

Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, he asserted, “We see this partnership as catalytic. With UNDP’s technical support and the Forum’s coordination, subnational governments can become key drivers of Nigeria’s development narrative.”

Shittu concluded, “Together, we can convert Nigeria’s immense opportunities into transformative investments that uplift lives and strengthen local economies.”

Also speaking, Attafuah described the meeting as a continuation of UNDP’s long-standing partnership with NGF to promote inclusive and equitable growth.

She stressed, “Our collaboration with the NGF represents a strategic partnership to ensure that no state is left behind in Nigeria’s development story.” Attafuah reaffirmed UNDP’s support in key sectors including agriculture, energy transition, healthcare, education, and the digital economy, sectors critical for visible impact on citizens’ lives.

Gilpin on his part praised the NGF’s innovative platforms that enable states to engage global investors effectively. He underscored UNDP’s role in supporting frameworks that integrate capital mobilisation with governance reforms and data-driven planning. “Nigeria’s states are essential building blocks of national development,” he noted.

Gilpin added that the partnership aims to establish sustainable financing mechanisms combining public and private capital while ensuring transparency and inclusivity.

Both organisations agreed to formalise their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to outline technical assistance and pilot interventions in selected states. Planned initiatives include the creation of a Subnational Development Finance Lab, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Competency Framework, and a State Investment Readiness Index to benchmark competitiveness.