The Federal Government has outlined job creation, higher productivity and broader economic prosperity as the central priorities of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, NES#32.
Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, announced the focus at a news conference in Abuja ahead of the summit, scheduled for October 26 and 27.
The event will be held under the theme, “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity.”
Summit to Bring Key Economic Stakeholders Together
Uzoka-Anite said NES#32 would provide an opportunity for government, businesses, labour, academics and other stakeholders to work towards practical solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
She said the discussions would seek to build consensus around policies that can turn economic growth into productive employment and better living conditions for Nigerians.
The programme will cover issues including productivity, human capital, economic resilience, digital transformation, political economy, transparency and accountability.
Five Priorities Will Shape the Discussions
The minister identified five major areas that will structure the summit: Work Nigeria, Produce Nigeria, Invest Nigeria, Scale Nigeria and Secure Nigeria.
Work Nigeria will examine ways to expand access to quality employment, while Produce Nigeria will focus on productivity, industrialisation and greater value addition across important sectors.
Invest Nigeria will address investment attraction as well as human capital development through areas such as education, healthcare and social development.
Scale Nigeria will focus on unlocking the economic potential of states and other sub-national governments to support more balanced and inclusive growth.
Secure Nigeria will examine national security, economic resilience and Nigeria’s ability to withstand domestic and external economic shocks.
Agriculture, Manufacturing and Digital Economy on Agenda
According to Uzoka-Anite, NES#32 will also examine ways of achieving sustainable growth through agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and the digital economy.
Improving competitiveness will form another part of the discussions, with attention expected to be given to infrastructure, innovation, skills development and regulatory efficiency.
The minister also identified a stronger investment environment as an important requirement for attracting both domestic and international capital.
Government Links NES#32 to Existing Reforms
Uzoka-Anite said recommendations from the previous Nigerian Economic Summit were already reflected in several government policies and reforms.
She said the Federal Government was finalising the National Development Plan 2026–2030, which is intended to strengthen coordination between development planning and annual budgets.
She also cited HHOPE-GOV, which she said supports results-based monitoring and quarterly reporting aimed at improving implementation and accountability.
Industrial Policy Targets Key Sectors
The minister pointed to the Nigeria Industrial Policy unveiled in February as another example of ongoing economic reforms.
She said the policy gives priority to areas including agro-processing, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and technology-driven industries.
Infrastructure development is also being pursued through public-private partnerships and the mobilisation of private capital, according to the minister.
Government and IFC Develop PPP Project Pipeline
Uzoka-Anite disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation in February.
The agreement is aimed at developing a pipeline of bankable public-private partnership projects in sectors including transport, energy, information and communication technology and sanitation.
She also said the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission had reported more than 97 PPP projects with a combined value exceeding N9 trillion.
The minister said the projects and other initiatives showed how recommendations from NES#31 were being incorporated into government programmes.
Pre-Summit Events Expand Stakeholder Engagement
Several events have been held ahead of the main summit to broaden discussions around the issues expected to feature at NES#32.
They include “The Missing Link: From Learning to Earning,” “From Commitments to Green Growth,” “Digital Nigeria: The Foundation for Transformation,” and “Unlocking Sustainable FDI for Productivity and Shared Prosperity.”
Uzoka-Anite said these engagements were intended to deepen stakeholder participation before the October summit.
NESG Calls for Reforms to Deliver Jobs and Investment
Dr Tayo Adeloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, said recent economic reforms now needed to produce measurable improvements in investment, productivity and employment.
He cited reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange-rate unification, fiscal restructuring and bank recapitalisation, saying they had contributed to efforts to restore macroeconomic stability.
However, Adeloju stressed that economic stabilisation should be followed by stronger productive investment and job creation.
High Costs and Informal Employment Remain Challenges
Adeloju identified high production costs, infrastructure shortcomings, low productivity and insecurity among the issues still affecting businesses and the wider economy.
He also noted that more than 90 per cent of employment remains informal, underscoring the need for policies that support productive and decent work.
He said the five NES#32 priorities would provide a framework for addressing employment, industrialisation, investment, balanced growth and security as an economic concern.
Summit Expected to Produce Actionable Commitments
According to Adeloju, NES#32 is expected to strengthen cooperation between government and the private sector and develop an actionable pathway from economic stabilisation towards investment-, productivity- and jobs-led growth.
He urged the media to continue following the issues beyond the summit itself and to hold government and businesses accountable for commitments made.
Uzoka-Anite similarly called on journalists to focus on the substance of the discussions rather than limiting coverage to ceremonial aspects.
She said effective reporting should help Nigerians understand the decisions reached, the actions required, the institutions responsible for implementation and how progress will be measured.
From Economic Potential to Improved Livelihoods
Uzoka-Anite said the broader objective of NES#32 was to help Nigeria move from economic potential towards prosperity by ensuring that reforms translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
For Adeloju, the eventual measure of the summit would be whether it contributes to better policies, stronger businesses and improved livelihoods.
The 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit is scheduled to take place in Abuja on October 26 and 27.
