Yesterday, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, urged the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to enhance its advocacy efforts with the public sector to drive comprehensive economic growth in the country. Speaking at the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) at 30 public lecture and Founders’ forum organized by NESG, themed: “In the National Interest: Reflecting on the Past, Reimagining the Future”, the governor emphasized the importance of NESG prioritizing collaboration principles to foster a multi-stakeholder alliance.
“I believe NESG can increase its relevance, and we are committed to working with you to achieve this. I want to discuss the link between policy work and public awareness because the more an organization connects with the general public, the more effective it becomes.
“This is why I suggest NESG explore ways to enhance the public-facing aspect of its work. I am pleased to learn that you have recently launched a podcast that facilitates engaging conversations with experts as one way to reach new audiences. I encourage further efforts leveraging digital technology so that more Nigerians can understand not only the work you do but also how it contributes to improving their quality of life,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The governor expressed his view that the public sector needs to improve its level of synergy among key stakeholders in the economy to pursue a collective agenda of service for the benefit of citizens. Earlier, the NESG Board Chairman, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, highlighted that the gathering celebrates and reflects on three decades of transformative dialogue and economic reform facilitated by NESG.
“Thirty years ago, during a critical juncture in our nation’s history, the NES was established out of necessity when economic challenges were significant, requiring a platform for robust public-private dialogue. Since our inaugural summit in 1993, the NES has been a progressive economic discourse deeply rooted in collaborative efforts between government leaders and private sector visionaries,” Yusuf remarked.
He emphasized that at the heart of NESG’s advocacy efforts, the annual NES remains a flagship event, marking a significant milestone in the journey of progress and impact.
“Therefore, in marking this 30th anniversary, it is crucial to evaluate and discuss the role of this public-private dialogue platform in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape to gain insights for future engagements,” he asserted.
On his part, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, the Chief Executive Officer of NESG, stated that NESG’s interventions over the last 30 years have transitioned the country from a highly closed economy to a more open one. “However, NESG is not solely focused on the openness of the economy. We are also dedicated to enhancing its competitiveness, sustainability, and inclusivity. Despite Nigeria’s historical growth, it has been predominantly ‘uninclusive.’ Therefore, the challenge on the 30th anniversary is how to propel the country forward over the next 30 years in a manner that fosters inclusive growth, creating jobs and opportunities for all, leaving no one behind,” he explained.
He emphasized the necessity for the government to establish robust institutions, appoint competent individuals to lead those institutions, and demonstrate political will to support them. “There is also a need to develop a comprehensive plan and ensure its execution, removing political interests to facilitate business growth, job creation, and investment attraction,” Aduloju urged.
Prof. Chris Ogbechie, the Dean of Lagos Business School (LBS), highlighted that NES provides a platform to reflect on its impact and progress over the past 30 years. He stated, “It has been the shared vision of its founding fathers to establish a platform for constructive engagements between private and public sector leaders. The summit has served as a beacon of hope and a venue for constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors, instrumental in shaping policies and driving sustainable development across various sectors of the economy.”
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