Shared Vision Needed To Drive Nigeria’s Economic Growth – Ex-Deputy Govs

The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) has stressed the need for a shared vision to drive sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.

The chairman of the forum, Dr. Chris Akomas, said this yesterday in Abuja during its 4th Annual National Conference with the theme: “Boosting Nigeria’s Productive Capacity for National Growth and Self-Reliance: The Role of Leadership, Industry and Innovation in Policy Implementation.”

He emphasised the importance of collective action in nation building, highlighting Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources as well as the challenge of harnessing these resources effectively to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

He also underscored the significance of strong leadership, thriving industries, and innovation as key drivers of economic development, calling for a collaborative effort between government, the private sector, and civil society to accelerate industrial productivity, foster innovation, and ensure effective policy implementation at all levels.

“The conference aimed to generate ideas, recommendations, and foster partnerships and collaborations that would contribute to national discourse and provide effective solutions for building a self-reliant Nigeria.

“I urged citizens to have a renewed determination to uphold the values of unity, equity, and responsibility in their daily lives.

“The FFDGN has been actively engaged in enhancing productivity within the country through initiatives such as The Sustainable Cocoa Initiative, which works to increase cocoa production and improve the value chain.

“The outcomes of the conference are expected to further advance these efforts and contribute to the long-term development of the nation,” he said.

Similarly, former Senate President and secretary to government of the federation, Pius Ayim, commended the former deputy governors for their steadfastness and patriotic commitment to nation-building during the 4th Annual Conference.

He highlighted the importance of a productive economy and the historical factors that have hindered Nigeria’s industrialization efforts, such as military coups, the oil boom of the 70s, and signing onto the World Trade Organisation Agreement.

“We need to sustain the commitment to national aspiration and policy consistency, as well as the importance of protecting the local market and creating a competitive production environment to encourage investors and boost local production,” he said.

He called for a renewed sense of patriotism and national institutions to reverse Nigeria’s economic weaknesses, acknowledging that it will take concerted effort from leaders and the people to redirect the nation on a path of prosperity and industrial growth, similar to the successes seen in China, Singapore, and Vietnam.

For his part, former Sokoto State governor and Senator representing Sokoto North, Aliyu Margatarda Wamako, co- chairman represented by Hon. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, expressed his gratitude and admiration for the Deputy Governors Forum of Nigeria.

He recounted his past involvement in a similar initiative in 1999, which was unfortunately thwarted by higher powers and commended the growth and impact of the Forum, particularly praising the leadership and organization of the current Secretariat and the success of the ongoing conference.

Wamako pledged his full support to the forum and its future endeavors, offering to champion any legislative initiatives brought forth by the group.

He emphasised the importance of a shared vision and mutual agreement on a work plan to enhance trust, confidence, and development at the sub-national levels.

He expressed confidence in the collective expertise of the conference participants and anticipated actionable solutions to revitalize Nigeria’s industrial base.

He also recognised and thanked the friends of the Forum and corporate sponsors for their continued support in advancing the Forum’s mission, noting that such contributions had led to increased political appointments for foreign members, highlighting government appreciation for their dedication to national development.

“I urged all stakeholders to maintain their commitment and efforts, as they played a vital role in propelling Nigeria towards prosperity and self-reliance,” he added.

Also, the director-general of the FFDGN, Dr Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, said the forum had recorded remarkable growth since 2022, expanding its membership and strengthening engagement with serving deputy governors.

He noted that under the current leadership, the Forum had gained visibility and credibility by consistently convening dialogues on governance, national security, and economic transformation.

Ibe-Kalu said the forum had established the Renewed Hope Agenda Peer Review Group to monitor the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s economic programmes and promote accountability in governance.

He disclosed that the forum was also working on a publication documenting the service experiences of former deputy governors to preserve their institutional knowledge for future leaders.