From left: Niyi John Olajide, Chairman of Cavista Holdings; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Mokgweetsi Masisi, former President of Botswana; and Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor of Niger State, at the Cavista Holdings Gala Dinner held alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
By Tunde Oso
During a distinguished Gala Night in New York, coinciding with the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) joined forces with Cavista Holdings to announce a strategic alliance aimed at boosting foreign direct investment (FDI) and tackling food insecurity in Nigeria.
The gathering underscored the critical need to amplify foreign investment inflows into Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, while encouraging corporate stakeholders to align with President Bola Tinubu‘s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes eradicating hunger nationwide.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Niyi John Olajide, Chairman of both Cavista Holdings and the CCA, highlighted the imperative of attracting greater foreign capital, emphasizing Nigeria’s dual role as a present-day hub and a promising future market driven by “value creation and impactful growth.”
Olajide elaborated, “Nigeria stands not only as a prospective market but as a dynamic frontier for generating value and making a tangible difference. At Cavista Holdings, our mission is straightforward: to foster transformation and create employment. Our investments across Africa focus on one goal-job creation, and more job creation.”
The exclusive, invitation-only event brought together influential private sector investors, representatives from global financial institutions, senior government officials from the U.S. and Africa, and a prominent Nigerian delegation led by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima. This assembly reflected a strong international commitment to collaborate with Nigerian states in accelerating economic progress.
Vice President Shettima, represented by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa, shared compelling narratives of successful investments nationwide, attributing the surge in investor confidence to the bold fiscal reforms implemented under President Tinubu’s leadership, which have bolstered private sector growth and economic resilience.
Distinguished attendees included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II, Cross River State Deputy Governor Peter Odey, alongside several Nigerian ministers.
Highlighting Cavista Holdings’ commitment to combating food insecurity, Olajide pointed to flagship projects such as Agbeyewa Farms, recognized as Africa’s largest cassava plantation; the revitalization of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort into a top-tier hospitality venue; and ventures like Cavista Technologies and Payzeep, which are driving Africa’s digital economy with future plans to expand into the energy and mining sectors.