The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic reforms through deeper collaboration with the private sector, as it formally inaugurated the Joint Planning Committee (JPC) for the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32), scheduled to hold in October 2026.
Representing the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoma-Anite, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Deborah Odoh, said that the success of Nigeria’s economic future largely depends on sustained public-private sector partnerships that drive growth, innovation, and national development.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Odoh described the Nigerian Economic Summit as a critical platform that has consistently shaped national policy direction through collaboration and consensus-building.
She stressed that across both advanced and emerging economies, effective partnerships between government and the private sector have proven to be powerful drivers of sustainable economic progress.
“The Summit platform stands as a compelling example of what can be achieved when both sectors align their efforts towards a common national vision,” she said.
Odoh noted that the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit will hold in October 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, adding that the newly inaugurated committee has been tasked with delivering a “world-class summit” that addresses Nigeria’s current economic realities.
She outlined the committee’s responsibilities to include reviewing outcomes of the previous summit, developing a relevant theme, mobilising stakeholders across all levels of government and the private sector, securing funding, and producing a comprehensive post-summit report.
According to her, the committee will operate under a collaborative framework co-led by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), ensuring balanced representation of both public and private sector interests.
She further disclosed that key institutions such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) are expected to play active roles in broadening private sector participation.
She urged members of the committee to leverage their expertise and remain committed to addressing critical national priorities, noting that the outcomes of the summit will contribute significantly to the implementation of the National Development Plan (2026–2030) and Nigeria Agenda 2050.
“Organising a summit of this magnitude is a demanding task, but given the calibre and diversity of this committee, I am confident that your collective efforts will deliver an even more impactful outing this year,” she added.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, described the Nigerian Economic Summit as Africa’s longest-running public-private dialogue on national economic issues.
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He said the summit has, over the decades, played a pivotal role in shaping major economic policies and reforms in Nigeria, including the telecommunications revolution, pension reforms, and economic recovery strategies.
“The summit is the engine room where ideas are transformed into policies, and policies into actions that shape Nigeria’s future,” Aduloju said.
Highlighting its historical impact, he recalled that discussions at past summits contributed to the liberalisation of Nigeria’s telecom sector, which has since grown from fewer than one million lines in the 1990s to over 100 million subscribers.
He added that the summit has also been instrumental in the development of long-term national strategies such as Vision 2010, Vision 2020, and the Nigeria Agenda 2050.
Aduloju described the platform as a “miracle of collaboration,” noting that it has sustained uninterrupted dialogue between government and the private sector for over three decades, an achievement rarely seen across the African continent.
He emphasised that despite differing views, stakeholders remain united in their shared goal of building a globally competitive, inclusive, and sustainable Nigerian economy.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that the 32nd summit will inspire renewed confidence in Nigeria’s economic future, particularly in the face of global uncertainties and domestic challenges.
“We are here as stewards of a process that shapes consensus, decisions, and ultimately national transformation. The future must be better than the past, and through this platform, we can make that happen,” he said.
The Joint Planning Committee comprises representatives from key government institutions, including the Office of the Vice President, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Trade and Investment, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, among others.
With preparations now underway, stakeholders say expectations are high that the 2026 summit will deliver actionable solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges and set a clear path for long-term growth and development.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.