Edo State, Others, Strategize to Boost Foreign Direct Investments in Nigeria
By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
Edo State, alongside Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Ogun States, is actively participating in a two-day strategic technical session in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country. The session, organized by Wavteq, a leading provider of lead generation for inward investments, international trade, and development, is focused on enhancing investor targeting and lead generation strategies.
The objective of the session is to discuss effective investment promotion approaches employed by Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), with a specific focus on attracting FDIs and accelerating investment growth in Nigeria.
Key highlights of the session include the significance of investor targeting, the investor targeting process, the driving factors behind FDIs, determinants influencing investments, and leveraging LinkedIn as a valuable tool for investor targeting.
During the training, Mr Kelvin Uwaibi, the Managing Director of Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) and Ease of Doing Business Secretariat, emphasized the importance of harnessing young people’s talents in the technology sector. He highlighted Edo State’s ongoing efforts in this regard, including the establishment of an effective Skills Development Agency (Edojobs), a tech hub, and a creative hub called the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, all aimed at nurturing the talents of young individuals.
“Nigerian IPAs, we need to start to look into this sector seriously with a view to training the young population. That way, we can guarantee the availability of the required skills and labour force to drive the economy. In Edo State, we are deliberately training our young people to maximise technology. We are determined to make digital skills available because it is a critical requirement to drive the economy.” Uwaibi said.
Mr Uwaibi further stressed the need for comprehensive technical training, as it plays a crucial role in driving the economy, presently and in the future. By equipping young people with digital skills, they can work remotely from their states of origin, reducing the need to travel to more expensive countries like Ireland. With a substantial youth population, Edo State intends to seize this opportunity and leverage the potential of its young workforce.
The technical session was expertly facilitated by Chris Knight, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial at Wavteq, and Mathew Harvey, an Associate at Financial Times. Their expertise in lead generation, inward investments, international trade, and development contributed to a productive and insightful session, aiming to bolster Nigeria’s foreign investment prospects.
Edo State participating in this session signifies Governor Obaseki’s commitment to attracting FDIs, fostering economic growth, and empowering the younger generation through targeted skills development.