The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has unveiled plans to establish the Niger Delta Infrastructure and Development Fund (NDIDF), a new financing platform aimed at attracting domestic and international investment to accelerate infrastructure development and economic growth across the region.
PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, announced the initiative while speaking at the Niger Delta Investment Summit in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Igali said the proposed fund would serve as a professionally managed, capital-market-driven vehicle designed to mobilise long-term financing for transformational projects across the Niger Delta.
He noted that despite years of government interventions, statutory allocations and derivation funds, the region has yet to achieve the level of infrastructure and economic transformation needed to unlock its full potential.
According to him, the Niger Delta possesses vast opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, maritime business, manufacturing, technology and energy, but these sectors remain largely underdeveloped.
Rather than dwelling on the region’s challenges, Igali said PANDEF was promoting practical solutions that would encourage investment, wealth creation and sustainable development.
“What is needed at this time is action—action that is strategic, intentional, disciplined and focused,” he said.
The PANDEF chairman explained that the NDIDF would complement existing development institutions by attracting investments from the private sector, multinational companies, development partners, the capital market and Nigerians in the diaspora.
He said resources raised through the fund would be invested in carefully selected, bankable projects under a transparent governance structure to ensure accountability and long-term value.
“The NDIDF is not envisaged as a replacement for existing institutions. Rather, it is designed as a complementary capital-aggregation and project-delivery vehicle that can crowd in private capital and accelerate development,” Igali stated.
He disclosed that PANDEF had already consulted private sector stakeholders, diaspora groups and the South-South Governors’ Forum, adding that the response to the initiative had been encouraging.
Igali also acknowledged the support of the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, for the proposed investment platform.
He said the fund would be governed by an independent Board of Trustees comprising representatives of state governments, private sector operators, professional fund managers and other stakeholders to ensure transparency, professionalism and credibility.
As part of the implementation process, PANDEF plans to convene a high-level stakeholders’ meeting before the end of the year to engage prospective investors and development partners before the formal establishment of the fund.
Calling for broad support, Igali urged governments, businesses, traditional institutions, development partners and Niger Delta indigenes at home and abroad to work together to build a stronger regional economy.
“Let us move from dependence to investment; from consumption to production; and from the exploitation of resources to the creation of lasting wealth,” he said.
He added that the initiative would help convert the Niger Delta’s natural wealth into productive assets capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and delivering sustainable prosperity for future generations.
