World Investment Summit Appoints Olori Temitope Ogunwusi to Drive Global Partnerships

<strong><em>Her Regal Majesty, Olori Temitope Morenike Enitan-Ogunwusi (left) and Rt. Hon.Yakubu Dogara</em></strong>

AKINSINDE ADEOLA OYINDAMOLA

Her Regal Majesty, Olori Temitope Morenike Enitan-Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has been appointed Special Envoy and Ambassador Plenipotentiary of the World Investment Summit (WIS) Group through The Presidency. This move is expected to strengthen global investment advocacy and promote sustainable economic development across emerging markets.

The appointment was formally conferred on the Queen in Abuja on Monday by former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Board of the World Investment Summit Group, Yakubu Dogara.

The World Investment Summit Abuja 2026 is a Presidency-backed international investment conference convened under the Renewed Hope Transformation Agenda.

According to Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the appointment reflects the organisation’s confidence in Olori Temitope’s leadership, influence, and commitment to advancing development initiatives through cultural diplomacy and international engagement.

He described the Queen as a distinguished representative of Nigeria’s cultural heritage whose profile and public service credentials make her well-suited to advance the objectives of the World Investment Summit.

“Her Regal Majesty represents the very best of Nigeria. She embodies integrity, compassion, cultural diplomacy, and visionary leadership. We are confident that her role as Special Envoy will strengthen global engagement and attract meaningful investments that can drive economic transformation,” Dogara said.

According to him, Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most strategic investment destinations, with vast opportunities in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, technology, creative industries, and the rapidly expanding digital economy.

The World Investment Summit is an international platform that brings together governments, investors, development partners, financial institutions, corporate leaders, innovators, and policymakers to promote cross-border investments and economic cooperation.

The 2026 edition of the summit is scheduled to be held in Abuja from 14 to 16 October. It is projected to attract more than 8,000 participants, including heads of state, ministers, diplomats, multinational business executives, sovereign wealth fund managers, development finance institutions, investment promotion agencies, academics, and international media organisations.

Organisers said the summit will focus on unlocking investments in critical sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, agriculture, climate finance, infrastructure, digital transformation, public-private partnerships, and emerging technologies.

The event is expected to provide a high-level platform for policy dialogue, investment facilitation, and strategic partnerships to accelerate sustainable development and strengthen capital flows into developing economies.

The organisers also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to host the global gathering, citing the country’s position as Africa’s largest economy, its strategic role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and ongoing reforms designed to improve the investment climate.

Projected outcomes of the summit include major investment commitments, expanded public-private partnerships, enhanced technology transfer, climate finance mobilisation, and stronger frameworks for investment governance and economic competitiveness.

In her acceptance remarks, Olori Temitope, who is also the Deputy Convener of Hopealives Initiative for Africa (HAI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) of the Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, expressed appreciation to the World Investment Summit Group for the honour and pledged to use the platform to advance investment promotion, economic co-operation, and sustainable development.

“I am deeply honoured by this appointment and the trust placed in me. I will strive to be a worthy ambassador of the World Investment Summit Group and a strong advocate for initiatives that foster economic growth and global partnerships,” she said.

The Queen described Nigeria as a country rich in opportunities, noting its abundant resources, entrepreneurial population, and growing market potential.

She called on investors worldwide to explore opportunities across key sectors of the Nigerian economy, stressing that strategic investments would drive job creation, innovation, business growth, and inclusive development.

“Nigeria is a nation of great opportunities. We welcome investors from around the world to partner with us in unlocking the enormous potential that exists across our economy. Together, we can build sustainable prosperity and create lasting value for future generations,” she added.

Industry observers say the appointment could further elevate the profile of the World Investment Summit Group while leveraging the influence of traditional institutions and cultural diplomacy to attract investments and drive sustainable development across Nigeria, Africa, and the broader global community.