NEWS
14 States Burn N21bn On Foreign Trips With Zero Foreign Investments
In the past three years, a total of 14 state governments have allegedly expended at least N21.04bn on foreign trips, yet none of them has managed to attract foreign investments successfully.
The states includes; Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara
Despite the influx of $14.85bn from foreign investors into Nigeria between 2021 and the third quarter of 2023, these states have failed to secure a share in the foreign investment pie.
Between 2021 and 2023, a breakdown of expenses on foreign trips by several states reveals Bauchi spending N3.81bn, Bayelsa N1.99bn, Benue N1.33bn, Borno N1.73bn, Cross River N663.16m, Ebonyi N1.01bn, Edo N1.77bn, Gombe N32.09m, Imo N541.23m, Jigawa N1.10bn, Nasarawa N541.26m, Taraba N2.52bn, Yobe N1.24bn, and Zamfara N2.77bn.
Surprisingly, despite these expenditures, there is no tangible result or foreign investments to show for the funds, according to data extracted from state budget performance reports obtained from Open Nigerian States.
It’s worth noting that not all states provided complete budget performance reports, with some only covering two quarters in certain instances.
Kebbi is notably absent from the list of states receiving foreign direct investments during the reviewed period, and unfortunately, there is no available data on the amount spent by the state on foreign-related trips.
The overall absence of foreign investments in these states aligns with a broader decline in investments across the country, attributed to concerns related to insecurity and other prevailing issues during the same period.
The World Bank opined, “Net FDI inflows are negative, reflecting net withdrawals of equity by foreign investors. FDI and FPI flows into Nigeria do not compare favourably with similar economies of the world, reflecting difficulties with FX availability, security concerns, and other structural challenges in recent years.”
Several states mentioned in this report, including Zamfara, Jigawa, and Nasarawa, have been grappling with the scourge of banditry in recent years.
In Zamfara, for example, banditry has become pervasive, affecting almost 14 local government areas.
The situation has led to the abandonment of over 70% of farmlands in the state, with farmers fearing attacks by bandits.
Highlighting the impact on investments, in 2022, the Managing Director of Zamfara State Investment Cooperation, Dr. Anas Hamisu Lawal, pointed out that insecurity was a major factor hindering the attraction of investments into the state.
Lawal said, “The first question they always ask is the security situation in the state..They are willing to invest whenever the security situation improves.”
In 2022, David Olofu, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, emphasized the significant impact of insecurity on states’ ability to attract investors.
He said “It is obvious that insecurity prevented many states from attracting investors in 2021. How many investors did the Federal Government attract?
“How will investors come even when citizens are not safe? How will investors come when citizens cannot themselves invest in their place?”
In the same year, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State announced a strategic focus on sectors such as technology, agriculture, and entertainment to attract investors to the state.
Despite these efforts, the state has not recorded any foreign investments in the past three years, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
In 2021, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, disclosed that Governor Douye Diri was utilizing his foreign trips to attract investors, aiming to enhance the state’s economy.
He said, “We believe that we have procedures, and the governor deserves the attention he deserves to give to investors so that investors are brought to our state as no system that is not interacting with any other system can be very effective. What makes an economy a viable economy is the external investment into the economy.”
The mentioned states continue to face a dearth of foreign investments.
Discussing this situation, Professor Akpan Ekpo, a specialist in Economics and Public Policy at the University of Uyo, explained to The PUNCH, “They are not importing capital for two reasons. First, they don’t have potential investors who will do that. Secondly, there is insecurity in the country. Those things are not fertile ground for investments.”
An ECOWAS Common Investment Market consultant, Professor Jonathan Aremu, added, “It’s simple. It’s because they don’t have attractive factors.
“The factors that attract foreign investment are not available in those states. One thing about investment is that it is crisis shy.
“Investment doesn’t go to places where there are crises. Why? Because investors want stability and predictability in their investments, particularly, having returns on their investments.” he added
NEWS
FCT Police Chief Inspects Worship Centres, Commends Residents for Peaceful Conduct
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, has inspected security deployments at churches across the territory, urging officers to maintain professionalism and vigilance during religious activities.
The inspection was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
Sanusi conducted the inspection on November 8, 2026, to assess the operational readiness of personnel deployed to worship centres and evaluate security arrangements for residents and worshippers.
SEE ALSO: October 1 Protests: FCT Police Call For Increased Vigilance Among Residents
The exercise followed a similar inspection of mosques across the FCT on Friday, November 6, as the Command sustained efforts to strengthen security around religious centres.
During the visits, the police commissioner charged officers to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties.
He also commended residents for their peaceful and orderly conduct following mosque and church services, noting that public cooperation remained essential to maintaining security and public order across the territory.
The commissioner urged residents to continue cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies, remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.
He further encouraged residents to utilise the Command’s emergency lines, 08032003913 and 08061581938, to report security concerns.
Adeh said the Command’s Public Relations Office remained open and accessible to members of the public for enquiries, complaints, information and other security-related matters.
The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents and worshippers and maintaining security across the Federal Capital Territory.
NEWS
2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.
The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”
Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.
The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”
NEWS
Elohor Aiboni Honoured with DTN@100 Changemaker Award
Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni was among 100 people honoured with the DTN@100 Award.
She joined a list of distinguished recipients recognised by the Daily Times newspapers. The contributions of the awardees to national development will be documented in a special publication, titled Nigerian Grand Book.
Daily Times which started publication in 1926 gave the awards as part of its centenary celebrations in Lagos. The centenary theme is: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.” Chairman, Folio Media Group and Publisher Daily Times of Nigeria Fidelis Anosike said: “We proudly celebrate Elohor Aiboni, Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, for her well-deserved recognition at the Daily Times Heroes Award. As a visionary female leader, Elohor has shown that true leadership is defined by action. Her forward-thinking policies continue to drive real, positive change across our nation.”
In her response, Elohor said: “Although this award is presented to me, I do not regard it as mine alone. I share it with my colleagues across the Shell Companies in Nigeria, our partners, and the many people I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years.”
Elohor was commended for her achievements in a career in the energy industry that started in Shell in 2002. In addition to serving in operational roles within and outside Nigeria, she has worked as asset manager for Bonga, leading up to her appointment as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, the first female to hold the post. Early this year, she took up the role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, also the first female and Nigerian to hold both roles.
READ ALSO: “8216;The Panic Is Real” Atiku Accuses APC of Plot to Weaken ADC
In her acceptance speech, Elohor also called for concerted efforts towards educating the girl-child. She said: “If we are serious about shaping Nigeria’s future, we must be equally serious about educating and empowering the Nigerian girl child. Education provides not only knowledge, but also confidence, choice and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community and country.”
Photo Caption – L-R: Energy and Investment Solicitor, Sam Aiboni; Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; actress Rita Dominic; and Daily Times Chairman, Fidelis Anosike, during the award presentation at Harbour Point, Lagos.





