…As Dangote allocates ₦366m shares for IDPs, scholarships for 6,000 girls
The two-day Borno State Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement Private Sector Roundtable in Lagos concluded with nine signed letters of commitment, approvals for land allocation, and pledges to support investment, education, and sustainable livelihoods for internally displaced persons and returnees.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor, Dauda Iliya, the two-day roundtable brought together more than 20 private sector actors across 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, along with the media.
Six private sector companies signed letters of commitment on the first day, indicating their 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.
Other participating organisations collected commitment forms for further internal consultations before signing.
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, supporting efforts to expand connectivity across the state.
Among the major outcomes, Dangote Group allocated shares worth ₦366 million for internally displaced persons and returnees, while Dangote Foundation pledged scholarships for 4,000 girls over the next six years.
The commitments provide a basis for expanding private sector participation in Borno’s recovery through investments that support livelihoods, access to services, and the economic inclusion of displacement-affected communities.
To translate the outcomes 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.
Private sector investors who wish to build industries will have access to land within two weeks and residential plots within 24 hours. Other ease-of-doing-business offerings 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 institute quarterly progress monitoring and reporting to track implementation, identify challenges, and facilitate timely action.
The roundtable concluded with a focus on sustained engagement to turn investment interest and pledges into practical opportunities for internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in Borno State.
