By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 20, 2025 (NAN) The Cross River State Investment Summit London 2025 has positioned the state as an emerging investment hotspot in West Africa, drawing the attention of global financiers, development partners and diaspora professionals to its vast economic potential.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day event, which held in London from Nov. 17 to Nov. 19, showcased the state’s commitment to sustainable growth under Gov. Bassey Otu’s People’s First Agenda.
Mr Ignatius Oli, Chairman of the Summit’s Central Planning Committee, said in a statement on Thursday that the forum highlighted the state’s dedication to economic development and diaspora engagement.
The summit, organized by the Cross River Government, focused on promoting the state as a competitive investment hub while strengthening diaspora engagement and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors.
With a theme centred on unlocking opportunities across strategic industries, the forum highlighted agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, ICT, renewable energy, and the creative economy as ready markets for investors seeking high-value entry points.
The Chairman of Cross River State Diaspora Commission, Prince Otu Okor, welcomed all investors and participants to the Summit and highlighted that Cross River State offers a business-friendly environment, with streamlined processes and incentives to support investment.
Our government is committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance, Otu posited.
Presentations from senior government officials, including Dr Inyang Asibong, Dr Michael Odere, Dr Bong Duke, Dr Nero Ughwujabo, Lily Grace, CEO-Diaspora Development Hub, and Hon. Ignatius Oli provided investors with insights into policy direction and bankable projects.
Oli, who chaired the Central Planning Committee, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in economic growth and emphasized that the summit would serve as a catalyst for new partnerships capable of transforming development outcomes in the state.
Dr Ughwujabo, Head of Strategy, King Charles III Trust Fund, noted that the summit offered clarity on Cross River’s development trajectory, adding that he was impressed by the vision and transparency displayed in the government’s presentations.
He explained that although he previously knew little about the state, the summit had equipped him with a clearer understanding of its policy priorities and investment opportunities.
A key highlight was Dr Asibong’s presentation on policy reforms and bankable projects, during which she announced that the Tinapa business and leisure resort had been returned to the state and was now open for investors.
She stressed that Tinapa offered significant returns on investment, and its revival remained central to the administration’s broader economic recovery and industrialisation plan.
The summit also featured a special dinner hosted with the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Mohammed Maina Maidugu, alongside Ambassador Bello Jaye, and other key dignitaries.
Maidugu commended Governor Otu for organizing the event, encouraging Cross River to maximize opportunities in the UK’s Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnerships (ETIP) and the Developing Countries Trade Scheme (DCTS) to strengthen bilateral trade and investment flows.
Diaspora engagement sessions brought together Cross River professionals from across the UK and Europe, enabling them to explore collaborative pathways in technology, entrepreneurship, skills development, and public-private partnerships.
Exclusive networking events, including an investor dinner, created a platform for direct dialogue between stakeholders and government officials on investment-ready projects.
The summit recorded tangible outcomes, including renewed investor interest in tourism corridors, infrastructure expansion, renewable energy, and ICT partnerships.
Several investors expressed willingness to acquire and revitalize key state assets such as the pharmaceutical company, air and seaports, and railway infrastructure.
Discussions were also opened on youth exchange programmes, digitalization initiatives, and education sector collaborations.
According to the organizers, Cross River State is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Organization for Migration in early December 2025, pending approval of the dates by Governor Otu.
The proposed MoU will support the People’s First Agenda through diaspora mapping, capacity building for immigration and border agencies, and enhanced cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries, alongside facilitating partnerships with international development actors.
In addition, notable investors placed orders for tons of frozen chicken from Calachika, signalling confidence in the state’s agro-processing capacity.
Talks are underway for bilateral agreements to sustain the supply chain, with follow-up investor visits to Cross River scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, as the state intensifies efforts to convert commitments into actionable investments.
The Cross River State Investment Summit London 2025 marked a major stride in the state’s economic diplomacy, laying a solid foundation for inclusive development and sustainable partnerships.
With its clear policy direction and strong diaspora outreach, the state is poised to accelerate growth and reposition itself as a leading investment destination in the sub-region. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
