The Dangote Group has allocated shares worth ₦366m to internally displaced persons and returnees in Borno State, while the Dangote Foundation has pledged scholarships for 4,000 girls over six years as part of efforts to support communities affected by insurgency.
The commitments were announced 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, which secured nine letters of commitment from organisations interested in supporting investment, education and sustainable livelihoods in the state.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, October 11, by the Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor on Media and Spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, the roundtable brought together more than 20 private sector actors from banking and finance, telecommunications, trade and commerce, impact investment, infrastructure, housing and philanthropy.
Representatives of United Nations agencies, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations Development Programme, also participated alongside media organisations.
The statement said six private sector companies signed letters of commitment on the first day, expressing interest in investing in sectors supporting the state’s durable solutions agenda. Three additional organisations signed on the second day, bringing the total to nine.
Other participating organisations collected commitment forms for further internal consultations before making their commitments formal.
The roundtable also recorded progress on investment facilitation, with two investors applying for and receiving land allocation approvals on the first day. Telecommunications company Airtel secured right-of-way approval to erect towers aimed at expanding connectivity across the state.
The state government said the commitments would help expand private sector participation in Borno’s recovery, particularly through investments that create livelihoods, improve access to services and promote the economic inclusion of displaced people, returnees and host communities.
To move from pledges to implementation, the government said the investment pipeline would be organised by sector and aligned with the relevant pillars of the Borno State 25-Year Development Plan.
It also outlined measures intended to attract investors, including access to land for industrial projects within two weeks and residential plots within 24 hours. Other incentives include waivers, an investor-friendly business environment, an industrial hub, an international dry port and access to international markets.
The statement added that the Borno State Government and GIZ, with Dyna-vest involved where necessary, would establish an Investment Facilitation Support Group to follow up on commitments, support projects in the pipeline and address implementation challenges.
The proposed group would also introduce quarterly progress monitoring and reporting to assess the status of commitments, identify obstacles and facilitate timely action.
The government said the mechanism was intended to ensure that investment interest and financial pledges translated into practical opportunities for communities affected by years of insurgency and displacement.
Borno has faced prolonged conflict involving Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, resulting in widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of livelihoods. Efforts to support displaced households increasingly include measures to restore economic independence and help communities rebuild their lives.
The roundtable concluded with a commitment to sustained engagement between the state government, private sector organisations and development partners to advance investments and social interventions.
However, the statement did not provide a detailed schedule for the distribution or management of the ₦366m worth of shares, nor did it specify the selection criteria and application process for the 4,000 girls expected to benefit from the scholarship pledge.
West Trybe reports that the commitments mark an effort to connect Borno’s recovery and durable displacement solutions with private investment, education and job creation. Their impact will depend on the implementation of the pledges, transparent beneficiary selection and regular monitoring to establish how much support reaches displaced people, returnees and host communities.
