Dangote Group pledges ₦366 million in shares, while Dangote Foundation scholarships for girls rise to 6,000 as the state shifts from humanitarian aid to long-term recovery.

Borno State has secured nine investment commitments and land approvals from the private sector to drive durable solutions for internally displaced persons and returnees, with Dangote Group leading with ₦366 million worth of shares and scholarships for 6,000 girls.

The pledges were made at the end of a two-day Borno State Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement Private Sector Roundtable held in Lagos on October 8 and 9, 2026, aimed at mobilising business and philanthropy to support the state’s recovery.

This is contained in a statement Signed by Dauda Iliya Special Adviser to Borno State Governor  Media/Spokesperson.

More than 20 companies and investors from banking, telecommunications, trade, infrastructure, housing, and impact investment attended the forum. Representatives of UNHCR, IOM, and UNDP were also present alongside the media.

Six firms signed Letters of Commitment on day one, with three more signing on day two, bringing the total to nine. Other organisations collected commitment forms for internal approval before formalising their pledges.

In a major boost for displaced communities, Dangote Group committed shares valued at ₦366 million for IDPs and returnees. The Dangote Foundation also pledged scholarships for 4,000 girls over the next six years, with the state government indicating the target has now been raised to 6,000 girls.

To fast-track investment, two investors received land allocation approvals on the first day. Telecommunications giant Airtel secured right-of-way approval to erect towers across the state to expand connectivity in areas affected by displacement.

Borno State Government said it will organise the investment pipeline by sector and align projects with the Borno State 25-Year Development Plan to ensure delivery and accountability.

As part of ease-of-doing-business reforms, the state promised to allocate industrial land within two weeks and residential plots within 24 hours to investors. Other incentives include tax waivers, an investor-friendly regulatory environment, an industrial hub, an international dry port, and access to regional markets.

To monitor implementation, the government, in partnership with GIZ and, where necessary, Dyna-vest, will set up an Investment Facilitation Support Group. The group will follow up on commitments and publish quarterly progress reports.

Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, said the roundtable marks a shift from humanitarian relief to sustainable, private sector-led solutions for displacement-affected communities.

“The commitments provide a concrete basis for expanding private sector participation in Borno’s recovery through investments that support livelihoods, access to services, and economic inclusion,” Iliya stated.

The forum focused on turning pledges into bankable projects that create jobs, restore livelihoods, and integrate IDPs and returnees with host communities.

Borno has been at the center of Nigeria’s displacement crisis for over a decade due to insurgency. State officials say durable solutions require jobs, housing, education and infrastructure, not just aid.

With land ready, incentives in place, and development partners on board, the state says it is now moving to the implementation phase.

The Investment Facilitation Support Group is expected to begin work immediately to convert the nine commitments into projects on the ground.

Officials say the Lagos roundtable will be followed by sector-specific engagements to unlock more capital for Borno’s long-term reconstruction.