Gov Lawal speaks at CEO Forum on attracting investment to Zamfara

Governor Dauda Lawal joined the 2026 CEO Forum. The focus was on connecting capital to opportunities and aligning business strategies for investment in Zamfara State.

The governor gave a Special Policy Address on Tuesday at the event organized by the Global Compact Network Nigeria.

This year’s forum took place in Lagos. The theme was “Financing a Dignified Future: Aligning Business Action, Policy and Capital.”

The forum is a special gathering for CEOs and leaders. It brings together chief executives, senior government officials, and industry leaders from oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, construction, and infrastructure. It also includes trade commissioners, diplomats, and international development partners.

Governor Lawal talked about how states compete for private capital that is increasingly selective. He explained what makes an economic opportunity different from an investable proposition.

He shared how Zamfara State is working to close that gap. His goal is to build investor confidence and create positive economic outcomes for the people of the state.

The forum serves as a platform for business leaders, government officials, and investors. They work together to align their decisions and unlock investment and economic growth.

This year, the focus was on connecting capital to opportunities. It highlighted where promising businesses and projects have trouble accessing funding and how to attract investment.

Defining the Dignity Dividend looks at how investment and growth can lead to better jobs, stronger businesses, increased productivity, local value creation, and wider economic participation.

Securing actionable commitments means identifying specific actions and partnerships. The institutions present can advance these over the next 6 to 12 months.

Other key speakers included the CEOs of 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 organizers said the session will end with a live showcase of the Business Value and Sustainability Platform (BVSP). This platform is a coalition of business, capital, and policy actors aimed at continuing the discussion. It will also shape Nigeria’s private-sector role at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week.