The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) have renewed their joint commitment to ensuring that the benefits of the country’s ongoing economic reforms translate into real improvements in the lives of citizens. Both parties pledged to focus on inclusive growth, job creation, and poverty reduction as key pillars for sustainable development. This resolution was reached at the closing session of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) held in Abuja, which gathered policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to discuss pathways to national prosperity.
Representing the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, said the summit achieved its mission of forging consensus around the themes of reform, resilience, and results. Edun emphasized that the government’s current reform agenda is designed to create jobs, raise incomes, and reduce poverty levels nationwide. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030, anchored on macroeconomic stability and effective collaboration between national and sub-national governments.
Highlighting major takeaways from the summit, Edun noted that participants identified critical priorities including institutional strengthening, infrastructure development, industrialisation, and inclusive policies that empower citizens and businesses alike. He revealed plans for a unified implementation framework that aligns federal and state development strategies with measurable outcomes. According to him, “The reforms must translate to better living standards and lift Nigerians out of poverty, that is the ultimate goal of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In addition, Edun disclosed that the government is implementing far-reaching fiscal and structural reforms, such as tax system improvements, public asset optimisation, and the integration of digital and artificial intelligence tools in financial management. These efforts, he said, are aimed at improving efficiency, boosting revenue generation, and ensuring transparency in public finance. NESG Chairman, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, also called on the government to build on the current macroeconomic stability by prioritising policies that have a direct impact on citizens’ welfare.
The NESG Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, praised the summit’s legacy of shaping major national policy reforms, including the Petroleum Industry Act and telecommunications liberalisation. He reiterated the group’s commitment to evidence-based policy advocacy that drives sustainable economic transformation. As the summit ended, Edun reaffirmed the Federal Government’s partnership with the NESG to sustain policy consensus, remove economic bottlenecks, and attract private investments. “We leave not just with a communiqué but with commitments and shared accountability to deliver,” he concluded.
source: Tribune