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Capital Betrayal (Why Investors Are Abandoning Lagos for Abuja) ~The Bitter Truth

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Capital Betrayal (Why Investors Are Abandoning Lagos for Abuja) ~The Bitter Truth.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

In the staggering landscape of Q1 2025, a seismic economic shift has unfolded: Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has outpaced Lagos as Nigeria’s foremost magnet for foreign capital. Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics reports that the FCT drew US $3.047 billion in capital importation, compared to Lagos’s US $2.565 billion. This remarkable overtake marks the first time Lagos has been dethroned in decades as the top investment destination. This historic breakthrough raises a compelling question: Why is Abuja now eclipsing Lagos, Kano, Adamawa and Anambra in attracting foreign investment?

1. Strategic Political Capital and Policy Confidence.
Abuja, as the nerve centre of Nigeria’s federal government, enjoys unmatched political stability and regulatory clarity. The proximity to the presidency, the National Assembly and key ministries fosters investor assurance (especially for projects with government linkages or public) private partnerships. It is no surprise that in-depth coverage points to “A STABLE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT and TARGETED, PRO‑INVESTMENT POLICIES” as foundational to Abuja’s ascent.

2. Robust Infrastructure and Landmark Developments.
Unlike traditional commercial hubs, Abuja has seen a robust push in infrastructure. Monumental projects such as the WORLD TRADE CENTRE ABUJA, a multi-use skyscraper complex in the Central Business District with over ₦152 billion (US $1 billion) in investments, signal Abuja’s emergence as a modern business nexus. Complementing this, developments like Centenary City (a futuristic, free‑zone smart city near Abuja International Airport) are positioning the FCT as the “Dubai of Nigeria”.

3. Institutional Power and Investment Enablers.
Abuja does not just build megaprojects, it cultivates ecosystems. The Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) is driving real estate, transport and technology through ventures such as the Abuja Technology Village Free Zone, automotive hubs and urban mass transit systems. Such institutional platforms simplify investment logistics, deepen investor confidence and strengthen Abuja’s case as a destination with built-in enablers.

4. Economies Eschew Risk: The ‘Hot Money’ Effect.
While Abuja’s capital influx is impressive, it is crucial to dissect the nature of this inflow. Nearly 92% of Q1 2025 capital was in the form of portfolio investments (short‑term, high‑yield “hot money”) rather than traditional foreign direct investment (FDI), which accounted for just 2.24% of inflows ($126.3 million). Abuja’s appeal to speculative funds may be influenced by its perception as a secure asset arena; a safe, high-return environment.

5. Contrast: Lagos and the Marginalized States.
Lagos, though a perennial powerhouse, likely suffers from its own structural challenges: congestion, cost pressures, over-dependence on finance/commerce and regulatory complexity. As analysts observe, many of Nigeria’s states failed to attract any foreign capital in 2024 due to INSECURITY, POOR INFRASTRUCTURE, WEAK GOVERNANCE and a LACK of INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCIES.
Against this backdrop, Abuja stands out as both accessible and cohesive.

Voices from the Field
At the Abuja Business and Investment Summit 2024, Barrister Wike captured the momentum: “Abuja is not just the political capital of Nigeria; it is a place of opportunities waiting to be harnessed.” He further underlined that “security is paramount in attracting investors. The safety of our investments is our top priority”.

His assertion cuts to the core: SAFETY, ORDER and OPPORTUNITY have a magnetic pull.

The Tipping Point: Abuja’s Winning Formula.
Abuja’s ascendancy is neither accidental nor fleeting; it is the product of STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES:

Policy clarity and stability rooted in its status as Nigeria’s political heartbeat.

World-class infrastructure and megaprojects that redefine business possibility.

Institutional architecture (e.g., AICL) that smooths investment pathways.

Perceived safety and predictability, attracting both equitized capital and speculative investors.

Relative vacuum of competition beyond Lagos, especially in States with systemic challenges.

However, a caveat: with FDI so marginal in the capital flows, Abuja’s position must evolve beyond being a magnet for “hot money.” It must become a real investment engine; one that fosters MANUFACTURING, TECH, TRADE and LONG-TERM ENTERPRISE.

In essence, Abuja has seized its moment (not through HAPPENSTANCE, but through design. Lagos may press forward, but for Q1 2025, the capital’s crown rests in the heart of the nation) and it is doing so with CONFIDENCE, SUBSTANCE and VISION.

Capital Betrayal (Why Investors Are Abandoning Lagos for Abuja) ~The Bitter Truth.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

~ George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

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Epe Premier Club Meets Obasa Ahead of Baba Bamu’s Immortalisation

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Epe Premier Club Meets Obasa Ahead of Baba Bamu’s Immortalisation

 

The leadership of the prestigious Epe Premier Club on Wednesday, January 28, paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, as part of preparations for the Club’s inaugural immortalisation ceremony in honour of their founding fathers.

Led by Hon. Abiodun Mustainu Tobun, the delegation briefed Speaker Obasa on the Club’s resolve to inaugurate a new era of recognising and immortalising iconic figures who contributed significantly to the socio-political and cultural development of Epe Division while they are still alive. He explained that the Club had unanimously selected Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu—a respected member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and political leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Epe Division—as the first honouree.

Hon. Tobun emphasised that Baba Bamu embodies leadership, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the growth of Epe, describing him as a mentor and pillar whose contributions have shaped the region’s political trajectory.

Responding, Speaker Obasa commended the Epe Premier Club for its foresight in institutionalising a programme to honour the legacies of distinguished individuals. He applauded the choice of Alhaji Seriki Bamu, noting that his impact, political maturity, and statesmanship continue to resonate across Lagos State.

Obasa expressed gratitude for the invitation and assured the delegation of his support and presence at the celebration, stressing the importance of recognising leaders who have given immensely to community and state development.

The courtesy visit also provided a platform for broader conversations on civic engagement, community empowerment, and collaborations aimed at further advancing Epe Division.

The immortalisation ceremony for Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu will take place in the coming weeks and is expected to draw dignitaries, community stakeholders, and residents in large numbers.

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Africa Gospel Film Project Launched to Train a New Generation of Christian Filmmakers Across Africa

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Africa Gospel Film Project Launched to Train a New Generation of Christian Filmmakers Across Africa

 

Abuja, Nigeria – January 2026 — Gospel Cinema International has officially announced the launch of the Africa Gospel Film Project (AGFP), a bold, multi-year capacity-building and film production initiative designed to equip African Christian filmmakers with professional skills, spiritual depth, and global distribution pathways.

Africa is home to over 600 million Christians, yet African faith-based films remain significantly underrepresented in global catalogues. AGFP was created to address this gap by training filmmakers, producing premium-quality faith-based content, and strategically connecting Africa’s Christian film ecosystem to the global market.

The project will launch its first phase with a 6-Day Immersive Filmmaking & Spiritual Formation Program, scheduled to hold April 13–18, 2026, in Nigeria, followed by the production of an 8-episode faith-based series later in the year.
“Film is one of the most powerful tools shaping culture and belief today,” said Bright Wonder Obasi, president of Gospel Cinema International. “Africa Gospel Film Project is not just about making films—it is about shaping storytellers who understand both excellence and spiritual responsibility.”

AGFP will focus on:
Professional training in screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, producing, and acting
Deep spiritual formation and mentorship
Collaborative production and international distribution pathways.

Gospel Cinema International is a faith-driven film development organization committed to training, producing, and distributing impactful Christian films that shape culture and inspire faith globally.

Applications and partnership discussions are now open.
For applications and information:
visit www.gospelcinemaint.com
Email [email protected]
Follow @gosplecinemtrybe across social media for updates.

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2027: Group Urges Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi to Contest Niger Governorship

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2027: Group Urges Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi to Contest Niger Governorship

2027: Group Urges Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi to Contest Niger Governorship

 

A group known as the Niger Progressives & Prosperity Promoters (NPPP) has issued a strong public appeal urging Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, to contest the 2027 governorship election in Niger State.

 

In a statement dated January 27, 2026, signed by Dr. Ibrahim K. Mohammed as convener, the group criticized the current administration under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for what it described as excessive international travels, unfulfilled agreements, and lack of tangible development in areas like water supply, jobs, agriculture, security, and infrastructure, despite the state’s abundant resources.

2027: Group Urges Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi to Contest Niger Governorship

The statement described Malagi—a former governorship aspirant in 2023, media entrepreneur, and federal minister—as the ideal candidate, highlighting his calm, strategic, results-oriented leadership style, national experience, and ability to deliver without theatrics or corruption.

 

It emphasized that the call transcends party lines and urged youths, elders, professionals, farmers, and community leaders to rally behind competence for Niger State’s progress, describing the moment as a critical crossroads where delay risks further decline.

 

Full Press Statement:

 

Enough Is Enough: A Clarion Call on Mohammed Idris Malagi to Step Forward in 2027.

 

There comes a moment in the life of a people when patience expires and silence becomes betrayal. Niger State has reached that moment.

 

Our state stands at a dangerous crossroads rich in land, water, and people, yet poor in outcomes; blessed with opportunity, yet trapped in underperformance. What we suffer today is not a lack of promises, but a surplus of them. Not a lack of travels, agreements, or signatures, but a tragic absence of results.

 

For three years, Niger State has been subjected to a governance style that prioritizes junketing over delivery leaders hopping from the USA to the UAE, from Russia to China, Brazil to South Africa, Egypt to Singapore. From Lagos State to Dangote multi billion agreements, signing glossy Memoranda of Understanding that never translate into water in our taps, food on our tables, jobs for our youths, or dignity for our people.

 

Agreements without impact are not achievements. Frequent flights without measurable outcomes are not leadership. Sophisticated paperwork masking systemic corruption is not governance. Niger State does not need a globe-trotting signatory-in-chief. Niger State needs a governor.

 

Why the Call Is Now Unavoidable:

 

This is why the call across Niger State is no longer cautious or quiet. It is bold, collective, and unmistakable:

 

Mohammed Idris Malagi must hear the cry of the masses, the unpaid pensioners, the poor farmers that have not seen fertilizer for their farms, and the teeming unemployed youths to contest for the Governorship of Niger State in 2027.

 

This is no longer a suggestion. It is a call to duty. The people are tired of leadership that manages decline instead of driving development. Tired of carefully crafted speeches that produce no schools, no hospitals, no security, no water, and no agricultural value chain. Tired of a system that looks sophisticated on paper but is rotten in practice.

Niger State must break free from this cycle.

 

What Niger State Needs Now Is Calm, Astute, and Results-Driven Leadership.

Mohammed Idris Malagi represents a fundamentally different leadership model one rooted in calm authority, strategic thinking, and execution, not noise, lousiness or theatrics.

 

His leadership style is not impulsive or erratic. It is measured, deliberate, and intelligent. He listens, analyzes, decides, and delivers. He does not confuse activity with productivity or visibility with value. He share responsibility and respect views and dialogues.

 

At the national level, Malagi has demonstrated a deep understanding of how power, policy, and institutions truly function not in theory, but in reality. He has mastered the ability to articulate vision clearly and earn public confidence without intimidation or propaganda.

 

He has the discipline to operate under intense pressure while maintaining clarity, composure, and direction. With the capacity to move complex systems from decision to implementation, not endless committees, fraudulent entities and excuses. This is executive leadership, this is governor-level competence. Niger State does not need a power monger who monopolizes authority at the expense of good governance. It needs a leader already tested by complexity.

 

Niger State cannot afford anymore four years of experimental governance. Another cycle of foreign trips with no domestic impact. Another administration that signs agreements while communities remain abandoned. Another sophisticated corruption network dressed up as reform of “New Niger” an agenda of multiple corruption must not be allowed to continue, to be governed by a system that looks modern but delivers poverty.

 

A Leadership Moment That Cannot Be Deferred is now.

 

At crossroads, delay equals decline.

Insecurity deepens while opportunities slip away. Public trust erodes while governance becomes increasingly disconnected from lived realities. Incrementalism is no longer an option.

 

Niger State see in Malagi as the next governor that will be Prepared, not rehearsing; Decisive, not tentative; Calm, not chaotic; Nationally respected, yet deeply rooted in local realities; Bold enough to reform systems, not merely administer decay.

 

Mohammed Idris Malagi fits this moment not by coincidence, but by competence.

 

Beyond Party Lines, For Niger State

 

This clarion call is not anchored on any political party. It is anchored on capacity, courage, and commitment.

 

Political parties are vehicles. Leadership is the engine.

 

On whatever platform the people choose, Mohammed Idris Malagi represents a unifying option one capable of bridging zones, generations, faiths, and political divides. This is not about comfort or convention; it is about survival, progress, and dignity.

 

To Mohammed Idris Malagi: History Is Knocking

 

History does not knock endlessly. When it does, it demands a response.

 

This is not about personal ambition. It is about responsibility to a state at risk of prolonged stagnation. The people are watching. The moment is ripe. The call is clear.

 

Mohammed Idris Malagi, Niger State calls on you to contest for Governor in 2027.

Step forward. Offer your service. Accept the burden of leadership.

 

The Movement Starts Now

 

This is a call to youths and elders, professionals and farmers, traders, artisans, traditional rulers, and religious leaders across Niger State:

 

Rally around competence, not convenience.

Choose results over rhetoric.

Demand leadership, not excuses.

 

Let it be said that when Niger State stood at a crossroads, its people chose direction over drift, courage over comfort, and leadership over illusion.

 

2027 must be the year Niger State takes its future back.

And that future must begin with decisive, calm, and competent leadership.

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