By Francis Wilfred
The Federal Government has reaffirmed the central role of the private sector in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and national development, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, describing it as indispensable to the country’s progress.
Senator Akume made the remarks during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to his office in Abuja. He was represented at the meeting by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.
According to a press release issued by Dewan Nengak Goshit, Assistant Chief Information Officer, the SGF acknowledged the LCCI as one of the most influential private sector institutions in Nigeria, noting its consistent contributions to economic development and policy advocacy.
Senator Akume assured the delegation of the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to supporting the private sector through the provision of an enabling environment anchored on bold and far-reaching economic reforms.
He said the current administration’s economic policies were already gaining international recognition, citing recent commendation from a World Bank official who reportedly described President Tinubu’s reform agenda as a “global reference point.” According to him, such endorsements underscore the viability and long-term potential of the reforms.
The SGF urged Nigerians to continue to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, stressing that although the reforms may be challenging, they were already yielding positive outcomes for the economy.
Earlier, the President and Chairman of Council of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi, commended the Federal Government for what he described as significant progress under the current reform agenda.
He noted that recent policy measures aimed at macroeconomic rebalancing, though difficult, were necessary steps towards restoring fiscal sustainability and long-term economic stability. Kupoluyi added that these efforts had attracted positive attention from global financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The LCCI president also praised government initiatives to enhance transparency and liquidity in the foreign exchange market, describing them as critical to trade facilitation, effective investment planning and the restoration of investor confidence.
Engr. Kupoluyi further called for the institutionalisation of structured public–private sector dialogue platforms, coordinated through the office of the SGF. He said such platforms would ensure that private sector feedback is systematically integrated into policy formulation, sequencing and implementation.
The meeting underscored the growing emphasis on collaboration between government and the private sector as Nigeria pursues economic recovery, stability and sustainable growth.
