Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to building a robust partnership with the private sector to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and industrialization.
He emphasised the crucial role the private sector plays in driving the industrialization and job creation agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima made these remarks during a meeting with representatives from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) ahead of the group’s 30th Nigerian Economic Summit.
The Vice President highlighted the government’s pro-business policies and its focus on improving key infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector, as efforts to create a business-friendly environment.
He stated, “Our nation is brimming with possibilities. Hope springs eternal in the hearts of men,” and described the NESG as the “premier economic organization in the country” with the capacity to help unlock Nigeria’s potential.
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Stressing the pivotal importance of electricity in achieving industrialization, VP Shettima said, “Without power, there can be no industrialization. I believe that if we align our efforts, Nigeria will be a significant force in Africa’s development.”
He also stressed that the current administration has a deep understanding of the needs of businesses, making it uniquely positioned to drive economic transformation.
“This government is headed by someone who grew up in your ecosystem and speaks your language of business. We have never gotten a government that is as business-friendly as this one,” he stated.
He also pledged support for the private sector, calling it an essential partnership for economic growth, adding that “we want to create hope and opportunities for our youths, and the resources are there for us to do it. We will do it.
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“The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Tope Fasua, urged the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to translate discussions into measurable outcomes. “Economic development cannot happen without growth. We are counting on the NESG to drive these conversations forward. It’s time to see tangible results,” Fasua stated.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, stressed the importance of action. She called on the NESG to “localize global discussions” to ensure effective post-summit coordination and achieve meaningful impact.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#30) and Vice Chairman of the NESG, Omoboyede Olusanya, highlighted the summit’s role as a crucial platform for exploring regulatory reforms that enhance Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
Key events at the summit, Olusanya said, will include a meeting with CEOs from Francophone countries, alongside sessions tackling local pharmaceutical manufacturing and energy sector dynamics. These discussions aim to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to drive sustainable development.
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“Our objective is to create actionable frameworks that address Nigeria’s urgent economic challenges,” he emphasised. Olusanya also mentioned that the summit will feature design workshops addressing critical areas such as food security, digital inclusion, and healthcare access. High-level panels on fiscal reforms and infrastructure development will further highlight the importance of strategic investments.
“We must harness these discussions to build a more resilient economy,” Olusanya concluded.
