The Vice President, Kashim Shettima yesterday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing economic policies and programmes that would spur investment and job creation, particularly in agricultural and the digital sectors.
He made the pledge when he welcomed the board and management of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, led by Chairman Olaniyi Yusuf, on courtesy call at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Shettima claims that “the President is determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership, rest assured that we will continue to develop policies that will drive investment.”
To achieve its goals, the Federal Government will, among other things, strengthen interactions and collaborations with the business sector, including the NESG.
According to Shettima, “I will suggest that we have a quarterly mini-summit (between the NESG and NEC) so that we can digest the previous three months, cross-pollinate ideas and come up with robust solutions to our nation’s challenges.
”It is absolutely essential because the world today is knowledge-driven. Nobody has the monopoly of ideas, that is why we have to constantly engage with you.”
On leveraging Nigeria’s population for economic growth, the Vice President stated:
“The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. ”The anticipated demographic bulge by 2050 where we are expected to be the 3rd most populous nation on earth is a major factor.
“Nigeria is a unique nation; we have to make it work. Opportunities abound everywhere. By 2035, there will be over 65 million global talent deficits. USA, Russia and China will have 6 million talent deficits. We are at a unique position to take advantage and create jobs in the digital world.
“We have the capacity to turn the anticipated demographic bulge into demographic dividends or they will be the demographic disaster that will consume all of us.”
“So, it is absolutely in our self-enlightened interest to salvage our country. Agriculture, digital education and energy transition, in terms of infrastructure, are some of the key areas that we will focus attention on.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
