Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, has said the Federal government is committed to economic prosperity and the ease of doing business in the country.
Enelamah, who spoke at the advocacy roundtable forum organised by the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD), in Lagos, said some reforms have already been completed.
This would ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) build capacity to deliver the ease of doing business, with effective collaboration that would support continuous improvement.
The minister, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Yewande Sadiku, said: “We know Nigeria is a challenging evironment to do business, but we also know that the country is a must-invest place that cannot be ignored.
Though Nigeria does not score high in the rating for ease of doing business, she said, “the size of the Nigeria in terms of population, makes the statistics something that cannot be ignored.”
The former Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, identified practical philosophy, consistent policies, public sector receptiveness and global competitiveness as drivers to achieve the ease of doing business in the country.
He said government cannot survive with dependency on oil receipts, except investments by private sector, which will create jobs and drive the economy, hence, Nigeria needs to possess a pro-business attitude.
Ohuabunwa said there is a need to create innovation that would drive global competitiveness, thereby training those in the public sector to be business oriented.
Earlier in his remarks, the President and Chairman of Council, IoD Nigeria, Samuel Yemi Akeju, said Nigeria remains an investors’ haven and the most investment friendly country on the continent.
Akeju said despite the current security challenge being faced by the nation, which is rather a global phenomenon, Nigeria is still safe for investment, adding that with over 70 per cent of its population falling in the range of 35 years, it offers a vibrant market for investors.
He said the institute is at the forefront of promoting professionalism in business environment and interfaces with government in formulating friendly business policies that champion entrenchment of corporate governance in the country.
