Shettima Woos Private Sector

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the organized private sector to back the
Federal Government’s policy reforms aimed at creating a resilient and inclusive economy.
Speaking at the 4th Nigeria Employers’ Summit in Abuja, Shettima, represented by the
President’s Special Adviser on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson,
noted that the country is undergoing a significant transition.
He said this transition is marked by bold reforms designed to stabilize and sustain the
economy, according to a statement from NECA on Thursday.
“The goal of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is to build an economy where
sustainable businesses thrive, generate decent jobs, and foster a society where prosperity is
shared by all, not just a select few,” he stated.
He revealed that the administration is dedicated to helping Nigerian businesses fully benefit
from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), highlighted by the recent gazetting
of the Preferential Tariff Concessions under the AfCFTA.
Shettima explained that this initiative aims to open opportunities for Nigerian exporters to
access preferential tariffs across African markets, providing them with a strong competitive
advantage. It also helps lower the cost of importing intermediate goods and raw materials
from other African countries, thereby boosting profit margins, especially for small and
medium-sized enterprises.
He also encouraged the organized private sector to view the reforms as an opportunity to
innovate, invest, and take the lead, emphasizing that these reforms are designed to foster an
environment where sustainable enterprises can thrive and inclusive development becomes a
reality.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also spoke at the summit, reaffirming the
government’s dedication to collaborating with the private sector to drive growth and
development.
He noted, “In the past, there were challenges beyond the private sector’s control that
prevented the establishment of a more conducive business environment. Since this
administration came into power, significant steps have been taken to eliminate these barriers
to business growth. As a result, now is the ideal time to invest in Nigeria.”
NECA Director-General Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde stated that the summit aimed to foster
agreement on the federal government’s policy reforms and turn them into practical,
business-friendly measures.
He added, “NECA is dedicated to working alongside the government to develop an economy
that is not only competitive but also acts as a catalyst for advancing the African economy.”