Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that his government would continue to prioritize reforms that enhance the ease of doing business, expand critical infrastructure, and stimulate sustainable growth in the real sectors.
He gave the assurance in Ilorin on Thursday at the 65th Annual General Meeting/ Conference of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture. (NACCIMA)
At the event , a renowned industrialist, Engr Jani Ibrahim, was officially inaugurated as the 23rd National President of the association.
Tinubu, who spoke through the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Eno, at the event, identified market-driven, private-sector-led economy with public private partnerships’ strategic reinforcement as the path to enduring national prosperity.
FG to partner NACCIMA for economic growth
He said the Federal Government is ready to work closely with the association to advance the nation’s shared economic ambitions.
The President urged the leadership of the association to forge strong partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and other economic institutions to stimulate trade and attract investments into the country.
Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment) Dr Jumoke Oduwole, her counterpart in Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru and Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN; outgone NACCIMA President, Chief Dele Oye; and major private sector players in attendance, felicitated the new NACCIMA president on his investiture.
He added that his administration is committed in creating an environment where businesses can confidently thrive.
“We will continue to prioritize reforms that enhance the ease of doing business, expand critical infrastructure, and stimulate sustainable growth in the real sectors” Tinubu assured.
He stressed further that the present administration firmly believes that a market-driven, private-sector-led economy, reinforced by strategic public-private partnerships, is the surest path to enduring national prosperity.
The President congratulated Dr Jani Ibrahim on his investiture at this pivotal juncture in our economic journey and urged him to forge strong partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and other key economic institutions to stimulate trade, attract investments, and enerzise business activities across Nigeria adding that the Federal Government stands ready to work closely with the association to advance governments shared economic ambitions.
“I am confident that under your leadership, NACCIMA will chart new pathways to drive policy advocacy, enhance the quality and flow of business intelligence, remove bottlenecks to enterprise, and create platforms that attract local and global investors into our economy. I encourage you to bring your vision, networks, and experience to bear in this new chapter,” the President said.
In his remarks, Governor AbdulRazaq, who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, at the event, stressed the need for stakeholders to take full advantage of Nigeria’s population, human and natural resources, and demographic peculiarities to drive stronger economic growth,
sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
He tasked NACCIMA and other leading institutions in Nigeria to take full advantage of Kwara’s unique blend of infrastructure, investments, friendly climate, and cultural legacies that promote trade, agribusiness and food security, creativity, tourism and leisure, innovation and technology, and general human capital development.
Also speaking, the Attorney General of Federation, Prime Lateef Fagbemi, pledged that the government is firmly committed to legal and policy reforms that support ease of doing business, enhance investment protection, and combat illicit financial flows and commercial malpractices.
He noted that reform in legal sector is crucial to shaping economic growth and in turn ensure a predictable, fair, and efficient business environment that attract investments with confidence building for prospective investors.
Fagbemi added, “Legal reform plays a crucial role in shaping economic growth by creating a more predictable, fair, and efficient business environment that not only attract investments but also sustains them by building investor confidence and preventing capital flight or divestments.
“We are intentional about enhancing commerce and trade by improving on our legal frameworks to address current economic realities.
This we have achieved through National Policies such as; the National Policy on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2024 (the “Arbitration Policy”) National Policy on Justice 2024 – 2028 (the “Policy on Justice”), and key legislations, such as; the Business Facilitation Act 2023 that promotes the ease of doing business in Nigeria and the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 that bolsters Nigeria’s framework for resolving disputes via arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”).
“As a government, we will continue to pursue reforms aimed at transparent legal systems, strengthening the judiciary to guarantee business rights and sanctity of contracts, promote business friendly innovations and consistent trade and economic policies.”
In his acceptance speech, the new NACIMMA President, Engr Jani Ibrahim disclosed that he is equipped with the requisite tools to reposition the association.
He promised to be innovative and introduce new reforms that will change the fortune of the association so that it would continue to function as an indispensable organization for economic prosperity.
The event was graced by who is who in the country and even beyond.
Victoria Ibanga