PRESS RELEASE
6TH SOUTH WEST INVESTMENT SUMMIT & ADVANCEMENT AWARDS 2026: LAGOS HOSTS POWERFUL GATHERING OF LEADERS, INVESTORS AND DEVELOPMENT STAKEHOLDERS
ASO MULTI MEDIA CONVENES MAJOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC DIALOGUE AS LEADERS CHART NEW PATHWAYS FOR INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
LAGOS, NIGERIA — September 4, 2026:
Lagos played host to a gathering of prominent government officials, business leaders, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, technology experts, development advocates and other stakeholders at the 6th South West Investment Summit & Advancement Awards 2026, held on Friday, 4 September 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Organised by ASO Multi Media, the summit provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful conversations around investment, trade, entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, financial inclusion, regional competitiveness and sustainable economic development.
The summit was convened by Amb. Desmond Agboola, CEO of ASO Multi Media, who has continued to champion platforms designed to promote investment opportunities, leadership and economic advancement across the South West.
The summit featured an impressive line-up of keynote speakers and distinguished guests.
The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olajumoke Oduwole, MFR, delivered a keynote address, bringing a Federal Government perspective to the conversations on industry, trade, investment and Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Represented by Mr Ayo Bajomo- Divisional Head, Corporate Finance- BOI, The institution’s participation reinforced the critical role of development finance in supporting businesses, entrepreneurs and industrial growth.
The summit also featured Chief Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman of the Governing Board, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Represented by Mr Tunji Jimoh- Zonal Coordinator NCC, highlighting the importance of communications, connectivity and digital technology in driving modern economic growth.
Dr. Toyin F. Sanni, Founder and Executive Vice Chair/Group CEO of Emerging Africa Group, was represented by Mrs. Abiola Oyekunle, Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Africa Asset Management Limited, bringing valuable perspectives on investment, capital mobilisation and wealth creation.
DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS
The event also featured H.E. Amb. Dr. Jonathan Ojadah, Global President, United Nations International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), who brought an international perspective to the relationship between peace, governance, stability and sustainable development.
Moremi Ojudu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South West), also participated in the summit, contributing to conversations around community engagement and inclusive development.
A goodwill message was delivered by Hon. Segun Olulade (Eleniyan), Executive Director, Customer Centricity and Marketing, Galaxy Backbone Limited and Founder, EleniyanCares Leadership Foundation.
EXPERTS CHALLENGE STAKEHOLDERS TO UNLOCK SOUTH WEST’S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
One of the major highlights of the summit was the expert panel session, which featured:
Dr. Ifetayo Adeniyi, CEO, Megastar Media Communications;
Hon. Olufunke Rekiya Hassan, Founder, Elpis Community Development Initiative;
Omowunmi Odumusi, Head, Digital Solution Sales – Government, Wema Bank PLC;
Mr. Abiodun Whesu (Ag.), MD/CEO, Southwest Innovation and Technology Co. Ltd;
Dr. David Opeyemi Oke, Vice President, World Trade Center, Lagos; and
Dr. Ebosetale Okhueleigbe, President, Women Mentorship Forum.
The panel examined critical issues around investment attraction, access to finance, digital transformation, innovation, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, women empowerment, community development, international trade and public-private partnerships.
The discussions reinforced the need for government and the private sector to move beyond policy conversations and create practical mechanisms capable of attracting capital, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for young people, women and businesses.
KEY OUTCOME: FROM CONVERSATION TO ACTION
A major outcome of the 6th South West Investment Summit was a renewed commitment among stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and pursue practical collaboration that can unlock investment and accelerate economic development across the South West.
The summit established a stronger platform for connecting government agencies, financial institutions, investors, entrepreneurs, technology companies, development organisations and community leaders around shared economic priorities.
Key areas identified for continued action include:
• Mobilising domestic and international investment into viable South West opportunities;
• Improving access to finance for MSMEs, entrepreneurs and growing businesses;
• Strengthening public-private partnerships to support infrastructure and regional development;
• Expanding technology and digital innovation as drivers of productivity and competitiveness;
• Creating greater opportunities for young people and women through entrepreneurship, skills development and access to capital;
• Promoting agriculture, manufacturing, trade, real estate, tourism and the creative economy as major investment opportunities; and
• Maintaining stakeholder engagement after the summit to encourage partnerships and convert identified opportunities into measurable initiatives.
The organisers stressed that the true success of the summit should not be measured only by the calibre of personalities who attended or the quality of the conversations held, but by the partnerships, investments, programmes and opportunities that emerge from those conversations after the event.
Accordingly, ASO Multi Media is calling on participating institutions and stakeholders to sustain the momentum created by the summit and work collectively towards practical initiatives that can attract capital, strengthen businesses, create jobs, empower communities and position the South West as a leading investment destination in Nigeria and Africa.
The 6th edition therefore marks not an end, but a new beginning — from conversation to collaboration, and from ideas to measurable impact.
ADVANCEMENT AWARDS CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE AND IMPACT
The summit also featured the South West Advancement Awards 2026, recognising individuals and institutions whose contributions have made significant impact across various sectors.
The awards celebrated excellence in leadership, public service, entrepreneurship, investment, technology, agriculture, media, youth development, humanitarian service, real estate, community development and other areas of national advancement.
The recognition was designed to inspire more individuals and organisations to contribute to economic and social development.
Speaking through the vision behind the summit, Amb.Kingsley Tolu Agboola- Executive Director of ASO Multi Media and Co-Convener of the South West Investment Summit, reaffirmed the importance of creating platforms that bring together government, investors, businesses and development stakeholders.
The summit reflects ASO Multi Media’s broader commitment to using media, events and strategic stakeholder engagement to promote investment opportunities and amplify people and initiatives contributing to Nigeria’s development.
A CALL TO THE MEDIA: TELL THE SOUTH WEST INVESTMENT STORY
ASO Multi Media is calling on newspapers, television stations, radio stations, online news platforms, business publications, bloggers, influencers and other media organisations to sustain the conversation generated by the 6th edition of the summit.
The organisers urge the media to go beyond reporting the event itself and help amplify the investment opportunities, policy conversations, entrepreneurial stories, innovations and development initiatives emerging from the South West.
The organisers believe that the media has a critical responsibility in shaping investor confidence and telling the stories of businesses, institutions and individuals driving economic transformation.
Media organisations are therefore encouraged to publish feature stories, interviews, opinion pieces, video reports and follow-up reports on the outcomes of the summit and the opportunities identified during the event.
The conversation must not end with the closing of the summit.
The South West has opportunities. The South West has talent. The South West has capital. The South West has ideas. Now, the story must reach the world.
LOOKING AHEAD
The successful hosting of the 6th edition further strengthens the South West Investment Summit & Advancement Awards as a platform for economic dialogue, investment promotion and regional advancement.
ASO Multi Media looks forward to deepening partnerships with government, financial institutions, investors, businesses, development organisations and the media to translate the conversations and connections generated at the summit into real investment, stronger businesses, job creation and sustainable economic development.