Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has called for stronger collaboration between government, businesses and investors to unlock private capital, attract productive investment and drive inclusive economic growth in the state.
Lawal made the call while delivering a Special Policy Address at the 2026 CEO Forum organised by the Global Compact Network Nigeria in Lagos.
The forum, held under the theme, “Financing a Dignified Future: Aligning Business Action, Policy and Capital,” brought together chief executives, senior government officials, industry leaders, diplomats, trade commissioners and international development partners.
Participants were drawn from key sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, construction and infrastructure.
Speaking at the forum, Lawal highlighted Zamfara’s economic opportunities and the need to convert the state’s investment potential into viable projects capable of attracting private capital.
He noted that states are increasingly competing for selective private capital, making investor confidence, sound policies and effective partnerships critical to transforming economic opportunities into investable propositions.
The governor explained that his administration was working to bridge the gap between available economic opportunities and investment by creating an environment that gives investors confidence to commit capital.
According to him, attracting investment requires more than identifying economic opportunities. It also requires the right conditions, policies and partnerships to ensure that investments generate meaningful outcomes for the people.
The forum provided a platform for business leaders, government officials and investors to examine ways of aligning business strategies, public policies and capital deployment to unlock productive investment.
Discussions also focused on businesses, sectors and projects with strong growth potential but facing difficulties in accessing financing, as well as measures to make such opportunities more attractive to investors.
The organisers introduced the concept of the “Dignity Dividend,” examining how investment-led growth could translate into better jobs, stronger businesses, increased productivity, local value creation and broader economic participation.
Another key component of the forum was the identification of actionable commitments and partnerships that participating institutions could advance over the next six to 12 months.
Notable speakers at the event included chief executives 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, among others.
The organisers said the session would culminate in a live showcase of the Business Value and Sustainability Platform (BVSP), described as a standing coalition of business, capital and policy actors designed to sustain dialogue and promote collaboration.
The platform is also expected to contribute to shaping Nigeria’s private-sector engagement during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.
Lawal’s participation in the forum comes as Zamfara seeks to strengthen its economic base, attract productive investment and create opportunities capable of supporting sustainable livelihoods and wider economic participation across the state.
