LAGOS, 19 August 2025 — BHG-InfoDesk
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, has officially launched preparations for the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#31). The announcement was made during a World Press Conference held at the Summit House in Ikoyi, Lagos.
This year’s summit, scheduled to take place from 6th to 8th October 2025 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, is themed “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030.”
In his welcome address, NESG Chairman Mr. Niyi Yusuf described the theme as timely and necessary. “It’s a reflection of where we are as a nation, and a call to action on what must be done if Nigeria is to truly prosper,” he said. He traced the evolution of the Summit through key phases of Nigeria’s economic history—from the crises of the 1980s and 1990s to reform efforts in the 2000s, Vision 20:2020, and recent challenges like recession and the pandemic.
Mr. Yusuf stressed the need for a second wave of structural reforms, building on recent policy decisions such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange harmonisation. “The Reform Imperative is not a choice, it is a necessity,” he added.
Representing the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Mr. Felix Okonkwo, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis, highlighted the alignment between NES#31 and the government’s reform agenda. He noted that recent policies have improved Nigeria’s fiscal health and investor confidence, describing them as “signals that Nigeria has chosen the right path.”
Mr. Okonkwo also spoke about the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, recently launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He described it as a people-focused initiative aimed at uplifting over 10 million economically active Nigerians across all 8,809 wards in the country. “This programme guarantees inclusivity, leaving no community behind,” he said.
NES#31 will centre around five key sub-themes:
- Driving industrialisation-led growth
- Building infrastructure for competitiveness
- Advancing inclusion for shared growth
- Strengthening institutions for sustainable impact
- Unlocking investment amid global trade shifts
Dr. Tayo Aduloju, CEO of NESG, emphasised the long-standing impact of the Nigerian Economic Summits. “From pension and agriculture reforms to guiding the country through economic recessions, these Summits have helped shape national policy and foster collaboration,” he said. “NES#31 is a defining moment to consolidate reforms and set Nigeria on the path to achieving Agenda 2050.”
The NESG called on stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society, and development organisations to actively participate in NES#31 and contribute to building a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive Nigeria by 2030.
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