Economic stakeholders have called for deeper collaboration between the government and private sector, alongside strengthened governance frameworks, to support national development.
Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria’s Government Meets Business Dinner during its 2025 Annual Directors Conference in Lagos, members of the policy and corporate community stressed that sustained reform requires shared responsibility across both sectors.
Prof. Uche Uwaleke, member of the Presidential Fiscal and Tax Reforms Committee, said Nigeria is operating in a period defined by fast-paced technological disruption, shifting geopolitics and the transition toward a low-carbon, inclusive economy — dynamics he noted present both risks and opportunities.
He stated that recent policy decisions, including exchange rate unification, fuel subsidy removal and tax reforms, signal a leadership willing to make difficult choices for long-term stability. However, he emphasised that reforms must be accompanied by clear communication, accountability and joint commitment from businesses, regulators and civil society.
Uwaleke identified policy predictability, inclusion and governance as key pillars for growth, and urged corporate leaders to champion board-level alignment with national reforms, particularly compliance with evolving tax processes.
Chairman of Keystone Bank, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, described strong governance systems as “the invisible infrastructure” that sustains resilient enterprises and credible institutions. She highlighted the bank’s initiatives promoting financial inclusion for women and MSMEs as proof that inclusive growth is good economics, not charity.
She called on leaders to uphold transparency and trust as central to building sustainable prosperity.
CIoD President, Adetunji Oyebanji, reaffirmed the institute’s role in strengthening public-private collaboration, advocating ethical leadership and supporting policy reforms to foster enterprise growth.
He noted that alignment between government and the private sector remains vital for a resilient, competitive and inclusive economy, stressing that governance must inspire trust while enterprise drives prosperity.
