NES#32 Holds As Scheduled, Says NESG, Adopts Hybrid Format

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has confirmed that the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32) will take place as scheduled on Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The group said the Summit would run in a modified hybrid format, with stronger public health measures agreed with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The decision follows the confirmation of a single imported case of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on October 20, 2026. Health authorities have since isolated the patient and are monitoring those who had contact with him.

According to the NESG, it assessed the situation against the NCDC Public Health Guidelines for Mass Gatherings before reaching its decision. It said an imported case alone did not justify cancelling the event.

The group explained that the Summit would therefore go ahead with proportionate and documented precautionary measures. These, it said, are based on a health security risk assessment and aim to protect the health and safety of all participants.

The NESG said the full complement of the Presidency, members of the Federal Executive Council, state governors and captains of industry had been confirmed for the Summit.

Keynote speakers from Nigeria and abroad are also expected. They include the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr Amina Mohammed; Prof Stefan Derco of the University of Oxford; and the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Samad Rabiu.

The group added that the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare would attend the Opening Ceremony.

The NESG said in-person attendance would be limited to registered delegates. Physical registration has closed, and there will be no on-site registration or walk-in admission.

All plenary sessions will be streamed live on the NES#32 virtual platform, and registered delegates may switch to virtual participation if they wish.

Everyone entering the venue, including delegates, staff, vendors and the media, will complete a health declaration and a temperature check each day.

The group advised that anyone with fever or other symptoms should not attend in person but should join online. It gave the same advice to anyone who has been in contact with a known or suspected case in the past 21 days.

The NESG also sought to calm public fears, noting that Ebola is not spread through the air or by people who show no symptoms. It said the disease spreads only through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is ill.

For health concerns, the public can call the NCDC toll-free line, 6232. Delegates will receive the NES#32 Delegates Health & Safety Information Pack by email.

Speaking on the decision, the Chief Executive Officer of the NESG, Dr Tayo Aduloju, said the safety of everyone involved was the group’s top concern.

“The safety of every delegate, partner and member of staff comes first,” he said. “We have taken this decision on the evidence and in close partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC, Africa CDC, the FCT health authorities and Transcorp Hilton.”

Aduloju said the measures in place were “proportionate and tested,” and that they would allow Nigeria’s foremost platform for public–private dialogue to meet “at a time when the conversation on our economy matters more than ever.”

He thanked the group’s partners for their support and urged everyone to follow the guidance of the health authorities.

The NESG said it would continue to review the situation daily with the health authorities and would communicate any change promptly through its official channels.