TheCable

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) says it will continue to collaborate with the federal and sub-national governments, as well as the private sector for a prosperous nation.

Niyi Yusuf, the chairman of the group, made the commitment while speaking at the 30th anniversary and Founders’ Day lecture of the NESG.

The event attracted bigwigs from both the private and public sectors — including Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state; and Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, former chair of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The anniversary, held on Thursday in Lagos, was a prelude to the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit expected to hold later in the year.

Delivering his opening speech, Yusuf said in the last three decades, NESG’s commitment has been unwavering in driving reforms through rigorous research and many economic and social programmes.

He said the Nigerian Economic Summit and other programmes intend to shape the socio-economic development of “our nation and of our people”.

“This 30th summit is a significant milestone and a testament to the endurance of the expanding vision of the NESG,” Yusuf added.

“The 30th summit reaffirms the essentiality of public-private partnerships in tackling various complex economic realities.

“However, it must be said that our journey to embracing market mechanisms has not been without challenges, including in the recent years.

“Each summit has crafted policies and strategies essential for the removal of barriers to competitiveness, to growth, and to an inclusive development and prosperity of our nation.

“The Nigerian Economic Summit Group is also ready to continue its collaborative efforts with the three arms of the federal and sub-national governments, with the private sector and with the international community to propel Nigeria towards a more resilient, inclusive and a prosperous future.”

In an interview with TheCable, Yusuf stressed the importance of advocacy and private-sector resources for economic growth.

The NESG chairman said the Nigerian private sector has over time demonstrated its ability to commit resources towards fostering the “growth of the private sector and fostering engagement with the public sector”.

“Advocacy is you asking for what you need and what is good for your development,” he said.

“It takes two hands to clap. The public sector alone cannot drive economic development. The private sector has proven to be the engine of growth.

“But the private sector needs to be clear as to the things it requires from the public sector and nobody will speak on your behalf if you don’t.

“So, that advocacy is important. Policy advocacy is important so that the things that are required are clearly known and put at the front burner and then become a reality.”

‘NESG SHOULD EXPLORE WAYS OF DEEPENING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT’

Also speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu said the public sector needs to improve on synergy — “having various actors on the same page, overcoming what I call silos impulse to pursue a collective agenda of service and benefit to the citizens”.

He said the NESG can scale up its relevancy in this regard and promised to work with the organisation in achieving the task.

“I would, therefore, like to touch on the linkage between policy work and public consciousness,” the governor said.

“The more an organisation is able to connect with the general public, the greater its effectiveness.

“This is why I think NESG should explore ways of deepening the public-facing side of its work.

“I am pleased to know that you have recently launched a podcast that allows engaging conversation with experts as one of the ways to bring your work to new audiences. We need to carry all of them along.”

Sanwo-Olu urged the group to take advantage of digital technology so that more Nigerians can see NESG’s work and “how that work contributes to improving the quality of their lives and livelihood”.