11 states battle for honours at BusinessDay competitiveness awards

No fewer than 11 states are set to compete for top honours at the 2025 States Competitiveness and Investment Readiness Awards (SCIRA), scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja.

The awards, organised by BusinessDay Media Limited, Nigeria’s leading business and economic intelligence platform, celebrate sub-national governments that have distinguished themselves through impactful governance, infrastructure development, security improvements, economic reforms, and policies that enhance investment attractiveness and competitiveness.

Among the leading contenders is Kaduna State, which has been nominated in the Most Improved State in Security category in recognition of its efforts to strengthen safety and create a more enabling environment for economic activities.

Benue State is in the race for the Most Improved State in Infrastructure Development award, while Jigawa State has earned a nomination under the Agricultural Competitiveness category for its sustained investments in mechanised farming and agribusiness development. Borno and Adamawa States have both been shortlisted for honours in the Infrastructure Development category, reflecting their strides in rebuilding critical infrastructure and stimulating economic growth.

Katsina State emerged as one of the strongest contenders, securing nominations in two categories—Agricultural Competitiveness and Security Improvement Competitiveness—for its interventions in agricultural modernisation and community-based security initiatives.

Other states vying for recognition at this year’s awards include Lagos, Enugu, Bauchi, Bayelsa and Yobe, all of which have been acknowledged for notable achievements in governance, economic management and investment readiness.

The SCIRA awards have become one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for benchmarking sub-national performance, highlighting states that are implementing reforms, attracting investment, and driving sustainable economic development. The winners are expected to emerge after a rigorous assessment process based on verifiable data, policy outcomes, infrastructure impact, and overall competitiveness indicators.