In the vibrant city of Abuja, from October 23 and 24, 2023, an extraordinary gathering of new ideas and powerful speakers opened the 29th Nigeria Economic Summit (NES). The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Pathways to Sustainable Economic Transformation and Inclusion,’ resonated with the nation’s best minds coming together to shape the future of Africa’s largest continent. Presented with the opening by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this organization holds promise for the future.
In his inaugural address, President Tinubu outlined a bold vision for the Nigerian economy—a bold and ambitious pursuit of a $4 Trillion Dollar economy by 2035, coupled with a massive increase in a growth of 13.5%. To some, these ideas seem like words, but Nigeria has the wisdom and hidden power to turn these ideas into reality. With determination, dedication, and sacrifice, one can walk the path to success.
The NES has become a platform for government officials to play the role of the President. Famous figures like Mr. Olawale Edun, the Joint Minister of The Economy, and Muhammed Ali Pate, the Joint Minister of Health and Social Welfare, have emphasized the implementation of this economic transformation. The platform was shared by prominent state governors, including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the chairman of the Governors Forum of Nigeria, along with the governors of Jigawa, Adamawa, and Edo. Their attendance reflected the importance of the summit as it was a well-attended two-day event.
For those who harbor doubts about the intellectual caliber of Nigeria’s leadership, the NESG’s 29th edition dispels those doubts. The summit showed the amount of talent and knowledge that leads the nation’s affairs. However, an important question remains: Does intelligence translate differently to success and development? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Over the past three years, the NESG has continued to promote dialogue and lay the groundwork for change. Credit must be given to those who are dedicated, year after year, to their efforts in organizing these annual events. The important contribution of the NESG goes beyond supporting the creation of the Green Book, a comprehensive summary of information presented to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for the implementation.
The NES is often thought of as an elite monologue, but this interpretation denies the important achievements since its inception in 1993. Important laws such as the Pension Reform Act 2014, National Agriculture Seeds Council Act , and Fertilizer Quality Control Act, among others. turned directly to the efforts of this group of dedicated professionals.
However, there is a serious challenge in communicating the vision of Nigeria to its citizens, especially the 200 million people who do not participate in the NES. These ordinary Nigerians are unaware of the policies and plans developed by the nation’s elites, plans that will actually improve their lives.
Discussions during the summit focused on national integration, integration, heritage, and addressing the developmental needs of the country’s youth. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, the Minister of Youth, and the Minister of Promotion, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani in informational comments. If all stakeholders align their ideas, thoughts, and actions, a way forward should be found quickly.
The opportunity lies in translating these discussions into palpable actions affecting citizens. We must rekindle national pride, reacquaint ourselves with our heritage and values.
The climax, for many, was the seventh and final conference, “Our Nation, Our Heritage.” Here, discussions are held on topics such as Nigeria’s role as the “Giant of Africa,” strengthening the democratic process, fighting brainwashing, and creating a positive narrative. for the nation. It was a presentation by Mr. Dike Chukwumerijie truly captured the imagination of the audience, as he recited an inspiring poem depicting the trials, triumphs, and resilience of Nigeria’s heroes and heroines. The show called us to reconnect with our roots and embrace the ideas that set us apart as a great and proud nation.
The impressive performance of Mr. Dike led us on a journey through our collective history, reminding us of the symbol in Nigeria’s coat of arms- the red eagle that symbolizes the strength and sacrifices of our people. kūpuna, the shield that represents our rich soil, and white horses. show respect. The national flower of Nigeria, the Yellow Flower, represents the beauty, diversity, and prosperity of our nation.
As we move on from the great success of the 29th NES, the focus shifts to translating words into actions. After three years of the summit, the nation is still grappling with fundamental and structural problems that are hindering progress.
The way to solve complex problems is multifaceted. Rather than just approaching problems from the top down, we need to engage with them on multiple levels. The ease of doing business requires more than evidence in practical solutions every day, such as simplifying the process of opening archives, obtaining documentation such as SCUML, and business integration. The government must ensure the alignment of all departments and agencies with its vision, to block the roadblocks that hinder progress.
In addition, the safety and protection of citizens’ interests must be prioritized. The government’s daily interaction with its citizens, especially the youth, should be characterized by a positive experience during interactions with the police, EFCC, NDLEA, Customs, or Immigration officials. Leaders of these companies may need to participate in future conferences.
To instill confidence in the nation, the Tinubu Administration must first convince Nigerians of the country’s potential as an important and attractive investment destination. The journey starts at home, and only when we establish a suitable environment for our citizens can we really attract foreign direct investment.
The way forward is difficult, but as NES 29 shows, there is no limit to Nigeria’s ingenuity and dedication. It is time for these conversations to translate into transformative action, thereby ushering in a new era of economic growth and social inclusion.
Awoyinfa is a senior management consultant, specializing in the management of strategic change management strategies and implementation for international organizations across the African continent and parts of Asia. He wrote this as a reflection from the 29th Nigeria Economic Summit. He is based in Nairobi, Kenya and can be reached at [email protected]
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