The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), one of the frontline economic think-tank groups in the country, has charged the Federal Government and development partners on the need for continuation of the ongoing monetary and fiscal reform initiatives as a strategic policy step towards consolidating the nation’s economic growth.
The NESG, in a press release issued on Monday for its upcoming 32nd Annual Summit with the theme “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity” scheduled to hold on 26 and 27 October in Abuja, maintained that the scale of Nigeria’s ambitions required a new level of commitment to investment-led development.
To achieve this, the Group canvassed: “Government must continue strengthening the policy environment. The private sector must expand productive investment and innovation. Development partners must support catalytic financing and capacity building. Educational institutions must prepare future generations for the demands of a changing economy.”
According to the NESG, economic transformation does not happen by chance but always built on investment — investment in businesses, industries, infrastructure, innovation, and most importantly, people.
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It lamented that despite Nigeria’s enormous potential, investment levels remained below what is required to generate the jobs, productivity gains, and inclusive prosperity needed by a rapidly growing population.
On investment imperative, the NESG stated that “Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its economic journey. Recent reforms have sought to stabilise the macroeconomic environment, improve fiscal sustainability, and restore investor confidence. While these reforms are necessary, they represent only the first step. The next challenge is translating stability into productive investment that expands businesses, creates jobs, raises incomes, and improves living standards.
“For decades, Nigeria has faced a persistent investment gap. Infrastructure deficits, limited access to long-term finance, regulatory uncertainty, and elevated business costs have constrained the country’s productive potential. At the same time, global competition for investment capital continues to intensify.
“The Invest Nigeria dialogue at NES #32 recognises that sustainable prosperity depends on creating an environment where investment can thrive. The focus is not merely on attracting capital but on ensuring that investment flows into sectors capable of generating broad economic value, strengthening productivity, and creating opportunities for millions of Nigerians”, the group added.
It further pointed out that the first dimension of the Invest Nigeria agenda at the Summit focused on strengthening investment across critical sectors of the economy.
The group stated that Nigeria possessed significant opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, energy, mining, logistics, and the creative economy, stressing, however, that unlocking these opportunities requires a coordinated effort to improve the investment climate, reduce barriers to enterprise growth, deepen capital markets, and strengthen the policy frameworks that support long-term investment decisions.
The NESG maintained that the 2026 Summit would explore practical strategies for mobilising both domestic and foreign investment into productive sectors, and that discussions at the forum would focus on improving infrastructure financing, expanding access to credit for businesses, strengthening public-private partnerships, promoting industrialisation, and building competitive value chains capable of driving economic diversification.
Specifically, it hinted that particular attention would be given to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, just as improving access to finance, reducing regulatory burdens, and supporting business formalisation will be recognised as critical pathways for accelerating investment, enterprise growth, and employment generation.
Describing investing in people as Nigeria’s greatest asset, the group stated: “Economic growth ultimately depends on people. No nation can achieve sustainable prosperity without investing in the knowledge, health, skills, and capabilities of its citizens.
“The second dimension of the Invest Nigeria agenda focuses on human capital development as a strategic investment priority. While Nigeria has one of the world’s youngest populations, significant gaps remain in education outcomes, healthcare access, workforce readiness, and skills development.
“NES #32 will examine how targeted investments in education, healthcare, digital literacy, vocational training, and workforce development can improve productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness.
“A particular focus will be placed on aligning skills development with labour market demand, ensuring that young Nigerians are equipped with the competencies required by a modern and rapidly evolving economy. Discussions will also explore innovative financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and technology-enabled solutions capable of expanding access to quality human capital services at scale”, the group stressed.
On the benefits of building a virtuous cycle of growth for the country, the economic think-tank group stated that investment in industries and investment in people remained mutually reinforcing just as stronger businesses create jobs, generate incomes, and expand economic opportunities, adding that a healthier, better-educated, and more skilled workforce increases productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
The NESG stressed: “Together, these investments create a virtuous cycle that drives economic growth, strengthens resilience, and expands prosperity across society.”
While noting that the Invest Nigeria dialogue will focus on how policymakers, investors, businesses, development partners, and civil society can work together to accelerate investment-led growth while ensuring that the benefits are broadly shared, the group assured that the “NES #32 will provide a platform for these stakeholders to develop actionable solutions that strengthen Nigeria’s investment ecosystem and position the country for long-term prosperity.”
