The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) as part of efforts to advance economic diplomacy, attract foreign investment and drive sustainable national development.
In a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the commitment while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, led by the Vice-Chairperson of the Conference Organising Committee, Cecilia Akintomide, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the Minister on preparations for the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, scheduled to take place from October 25 to 27, 2026, under the theme “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity.”
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The group also sought the Ministry’s support in facilitating high-level international participation at the summit, advancing the Rising Together Initiative, partnering on a proposed Africa Economic Summit and institutionalising cooperation between the Ministry and the NESG.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye commended the Nigeria Economic Summit Group for its consistent contribution to the country’s economic policy development and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting economic diplomacy in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that Nigeria’s refined 4-Ds foreign policy framework places citizens at the centre of international engagements, using diplomacy as a tool to attract foreign direct investment, promote inclusive economic growth, create jobs and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
“Our foreign policy is designed to deliver economic opportunities that translate into improved living standards for Nigerians through investment, job creation and sustainable development,” the Minister said.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye acknowledged that while recent economic reforms had strengthened macroeconomic stability, more work was needed to ensure that economic growth produced tangible benefits for citizens.
He stressed the need for stronger policy dialogue, innovation, investment promotion and closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve sustainable national development.
On energy transition, the Minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to pursuing a balanced approach that promotes renewable energy and climate finance while protecting the country’s strategic interests as a major oil-producing nation.
He assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full support for the forthcoming Nigerian Economic Summit, pledging to facilitate engagement with invited foreign leaders, members of the diplomatic community and other international partners.
The Minister also welcomed the proposal to establish an Africa Economic Summit and endorsed the idea of creating a structured institutional partnership between the Ministry and the NESG, particularly through the Ministry’s Economic, Trade and Investment Department.
According to the statement, discussions also focused on strengthening collaboration among key government institutions, including the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to promote a coordinated whole-of-government approach to investment promotion and economic diplomacy.
The NESG delegation presented the Minister with a publication documenting the history of the Nigeria Economic Summit and invited him to participate in the forthcoming Gender Summit scheduled for September 2026 in Abuja.
