The Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), Muhammed Dahiru, has said that stronger Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards are critical to attracting long-term foreign investment into Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja at the launch of the Nigerian Corporate Sustainability Report (NCSR) by Norrenberger, Dahiru described the initiative as a major milestone for corporate accountability and transparency in the country.
In his keynote address, Dahiru said foreign investors increasingly prioritise ESG compliance when making investment decisions, noting that the absence of reliable sustainability data has long limited Nigeria’s access to global capital.
He said the NCSR would provide measurable benchmarks capable of improving investor confidence and supporting more transparent business practices across sectors.
Dahiru commended Tony Edeh and the Norrenberger team for what he described as a transition from “public relations-driven sustainability narratives” to a more data-focused accountability framework.
According to him, credible sustainability reporting is essential for building resilient companies, strengthening corporate governance, and positioning Nigeria for deeper global partnerships.
The PICTT chairman also urged companies to see sustainability reporting as a strategic business tool rather than a regulatory obligation.
“Don’t treat the NCSR as just a checklist. Use it as a strategic compass to build resilient, ethical, and profitable companies,” he said.
He added that transparency and accountability would play a decisive role in determining how global investors assess opportunities in Nigeria’s private sector.
