The incoming Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr. Omoboyede Olusanya, has urged the Federal Government to cut power costs, sustain reforms and reduce logistics and business costs.
He made the call at the closing of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32) held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
He said Nigeria must move from headline growth figures to measurable outcomes in jobs, productivity, incomes and living standards.
He launched “Growth that Delivers” as the guiding principle of his tenure, saying growth must be felt by farmers through higher productivity and earnings, manufacturers through lower production costs, graduates through decent jobs, businesses through affordable financing, and children through better nutrition and healthcare.
He noted that recent reforms have restored macroeconomic stability but stressed that stability is only the starting point, adding that Nigeria must accelerate productivity, expand productive investment and ensure growth reduces poverty and improves lives.
On assumption of office, Olusanya informed that NESG will be guided by accountability to ensure every Summit commitment has an owner, timeline and measurable success indicators ahead of NES#33.
This, he said, is evidence through rigorous and costed recommendations linked to the National Development Plan 2026–2030, investment by turning policy ideas into bankable projects in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, entrepreneurship and skills, reach by expanding opportunities across regions with focus on micro, small and medium enterprises and the informal economy, and institutional sustainability by broadening membership, increasing participation of women and young people and protecting the organisation’s independence.
He urged governments at all levels to sustain reforms and maintain predictable policies backed by measurable commitments, while urging private sector leaders to invest, innovate, develop workforce skills, pay fairly and create productive jobs.
He also charged young Nigerians to build enterprises, acquire relevant skills and hold institutions accountable, encouraged civil society to monitor commitments and amplify voices of underserved communities.
He called on development partners to align support with national priorities and focus on financing outcomes, with stronger trade and investment relations and closer collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers.
Acknowledging outgoing Chairman Mr. Niyi Yusuf for leading NESG through a period of transition and reform, Olusanya said the handover continues the mission that began in 1993 and reaffirmed that NESG will remain independent, non-partisan, private-sector-led and evidence-driven.
“Our allegiance is to national prosperity and not to any administration,” he said, thanking the Board, members, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tayo Aduloju, management, staff, volunteers, sponsors, partners and delegates for contributions to the Summit.”