Shettima, Sanwo-Olu, Adesina To Headline New Nigeria Festival

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and other top government and business leaders are set to headline the maiden edition of The New Nigeria Festival (TNNF) in Abuja.

In a statement by the organisers, the high-profile gathering, themed “Great Ideas, Bold Execution,” will bring together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, tech innovators, academics, and members of the Nigerian diaspora to chart a pathway towards transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Also expected at the event are NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Bank of Industry Managing Director Dr. Olasupo Olusi, and Equinix West Africa Managing Director Wole Abu, alongside leading figures from the public and private sectors.

Positioned as a national platform for economic transformation, innovation, and investment, the festival aims to accelerate enterprise growth, create jobs, attract foreign direct investment, and strengthen collaboration between government and industry.

Speaking on the initiative, Executive Producer and Project Coordinator Paul Jide Peters said the festival was created to bridge the gap between groundbreaking ideas and the partnerships, funding, and leadership needed to turn them into measurable economic outcomes.

“Our mission is to build a trusted platform where transformative ideas meet bold execution. Nigeria possesses immense talent, innovation, and economic potential, and this festival is designed to unlock those opportunities through strategic partnerships and investments,” he said.

The two-day event will feature keynote speeches, policy dialogues, investment forums, startup showcases, innovation exhibitions, and networking sessions designed to connect innovators with investors and decision-makers.

A major highlight will be the National Innovation and Enterprise Pitch Platform, where more than 100 youth-led startups from across Nigeria will compete for investment, grants, mentorship opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

Organisers say the festival will also launch the New Nigeria Innovation Pipeline, an initiative aimed at supporting high-potential ideas from incubation through market entry.

The New Nigeria Festival was formally unveiled in London on March 15, 2026, and has secured backing from key federal institutions, including the Office of the Vice President, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, NITDA, the Bank of Industry, and the Bureau of Public Procurement.

The festival is being produced by Bullion Strategic Synergy Ltd., a member of the Bullion Projects Group.