The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, has called on the Federal Government to realign its reform policies to enable growth for businesses and enterprises in Nigeria.
This call was made by the Director General, NECA, Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde at a press conference held in preparation for the 4th edition of the Nigeria Employers Summit themed “Enabling Sustainable Enterprise in a Transitioning Economy: Aligning Fiscal, Trade, and Regulatory Reforms for Inclusive Development” and billed to hold between June 25 and June 26, 2025 at Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.
According to Smatt-Oyerinde, the summit presents an opportunity for government and the private sector to discuss the way forward for the Nigerian economy as the macroeconomic pressures of inflation, currency reforms, unemployment, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to test the resilience of businesses and citizens alike.
He explained that despite the fact that the Nigerian economy stands at a pivotal crossroads, there is tremendous opportunity to reposition it for enterprise-driven, inclusive, and sustainable growth.
He further noted that the convening of the forthcoming summit could not have come at a better time as it has become imperative to bring together leaders from government, industry, civil society, and the international community to engage in open, solution-oriented dialogue around some of the most urgent and strategic issues confronting enterprise in Nigeria today.
He disclosed that the goal of the summit is not only to catalyze bold reforms across fiscal, trade, and regulatory systems that can unlock the potential of Nigerian businesses but to foster partnerships between the public and private sectors that are grounded in shared goals and mutual accountability. He further stressed that the summit was targeted at building consensus on a forward-looking policy and institutional roadmap for sustainable enterprise and inclusive economic development.
According to the DG, NECA, rebuilding the Nigerian economy is a shared responsibility and the engine of that rebuilding is enterprise. He therefore urged the public and private sector to recommit to enabling policies and regulatory coherence and step up with innovation, investments, and jobs, respectively.
Also speaking during the press conference, the Chairman, Nigeria Employer’s Summit Planning Committee, Ms. Victoria Uwadoka explained that it has become necessary for both the public and private sector to collaborate on the reform policies by looking at ways they can be adjusted to achieve desired result for businesses.
According to Uwadoka, the private sector needs to have a critical look at some of the reforms that have been embarked upon by the FG with a view to making input for necessary correction.
She noted that some of reform policies have failed to yield results as expected owing to the fact that it was not well thought out.
She said until workable reform policies are fashioned out, it may be difficult to achieve sustainable enterprise and inclusive economic development for Nigeria.
This year’s summit will feature keynote addresses by His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and senior ministers including those of Finance, Industry, Interior, and the FCT.
There will also be panel discussions and masterclasses on tax reform, ESG standards, trade facilitation, digital enterprise, labour policy, and fireside chats with industry captains, regulators, investors, and development partners as well as an enterprise exhibition pavilion showcasing innovation and best practices in business resilience and sustainability.
