The Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG) has advocated the need for the strengthening of institutions for sustainable impact in the country.
Ms.Ayanyinka Ayanlowo,
Acting Head, Strategic Communication & Advocacy, NESG, who said this in a statement on Sunday,explained that institutions are the vehicles through which nations operate, deliver services, enforce laws, and translate policy into people’s daily realities.
Ambitious reform agenda, she said, cannot succeed without institutions that are efficient, trustworthy, and resilient.
According to her, strong institutions are not merely bureaucratic entities; but the bedrock of social progress and economic vitality.
She said:”Whether in education, healthcare, energy, or justice, institutions shape the everyday experiences of citizens and determine how policies are implemented and sustained.
“They create the enabling environment for investments to thrive, for laws to be enforced, for entrepreneurship to grow, and for citizens to trust in governance.
“Weak institutions, on the other hand, erode public confidence, stifle innovation, delay service delivery, and open the door to inefficiency and corruption.
“Policy reversals, regulatory inconsistencies, and lack of continuity are often symptoms of institutional fragility. In Nigeria’s context—where reform is both urgent and ongoing—the strengthening of institutions is not a luxury, but a strategic imperative.”
She hinted that the the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31), scheduled to take place from October 6–8, 2025 in Abuja, would extensively consider “Strengthening Institutions for Sustainable Impact” as one of the sub-themes of this year’s Summit.
She also noted that NES#31 would deliberate on reforms rooted in strong institutions.
With the overarching theme, “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and inclusive Nigeria by 2030,” NES #31 underscores that reform efforts must be deeply rooted in institutions that can carry their weight—now and into the future.
She added:”Institutions give reforms credibility, durability, and legitimacy. This sub-theme also reinforces NESG’s guiding framework of Reforms–Resilience–Results, which places institutional capability at the heart of national transformation.
“This year’s Summit will convene an influential mix of policymakers, thought leaders, development partners, and private sector actors to design real-world strategies for institutional renewal.
“Discussions will go beyond diagnostics to explore innovative, scalable solutions that can entrench transparency, foster coordination, and drive performance in Nigeria’s public institutions.
“Aligned with NESG’s Arc of the Possible Strategy—specifically the long-term focus on institutional productivity and national efficiency, this conversation will highlight how institutions can become instruments of opportunity and engines of inclusive growth.
“Institutions are not just buildings or bureaucracies—they are people, processes, systems, and values that function in harmony to serve the public good.
“NES #31 will challenge stakeholders to reflect on how Nigerian institutions are structured, governed, and incentivised.
“More importantly, it will seek to redefine governance as a shared responsibility—one that demands meaningful collaboration between government, the private sector, civil society, and everyday citizens.
“This is a call to reimagine institutions as platforms for progress: digitised, inclusive, transparent, and resilient.
“Whether it is a small business trying to register a company, a young innovator seeking government support, or a community waiting for clean water—citizens deserve institutions that work for them, not against them.
“By committing to institutional reform, Nigeria is not just protecting its reform legacy; it is future-proofing its development agenda. Strong institutions will serve as the scaffolding on which trust is rebuilt, policies are sustained, and impact is deeply felt—today and for generations to come.”