FG Seeks Stronger Partnership with NESG to Drive Economic Diplomacy, Investment
Oru LeonardÂ
The Federal Government has called for a stronger strategic partnership with the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) to accelerate investment, create jobs and advance sustainable national development through economic diplomacy.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the NESG led by Cecilia Akintomide, Vice-Chairperson of the Conference Organising Committee.
The delegation briefed the minister on preparations for the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, scheduled for October 25 to 27, 2026, with the theme, “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity.” It also sought the Ministry’s support in facilitating high-level international participation, advancing the Rising Together Initiative, partnering on a proposed Africa Economic Summit and institutionalising collaboration between the Ministry and the NESG.
Enikanolaiye commended the NESG for its sustained contributions to Nigeria’s economic policy development and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting economic diplomacy in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He explained that Nigeria’s refined 4-Ds foreign policy framework places citizens at the centre of the country’s international engagements, using diplomacy as a tool to attract foreign direct investment, promote inclusive economic growth, create jobs and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
The minister noted that while recent economic reforms had strengthened macroeconomic stability, greater efforts were needed to translate economic gains into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives. He stressed the importance of strategic policy dialogue, innovation, investment promotion and stronger public-private sector collaboration in achieving sustainable development.
On energy transition, Enikanolaiye reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to a balanced approach that promotes renewable energy and climate finance while protecting the country’s strategic interests as a major oil-producing nation.
He assured the delegation of the Ministry’s full support for the forthcoming Nigerian Economic Summit and pledged to facilitate engagement with invited foreign leaders, members of the diplomatic community and relevant international partners.
The minister also welcomed the proposal for an Africa Economic Summit and encouraged the establishment of a structured institutional partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NESG, particularly through the Ministry’s Economic, Trade and Investment Department.
Both sides also discussed the need for stronger collaboration among key government institutions, including the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, to ensure a coordinated whole-of-government approach to investment promotion and economic diplomacy.
The NESG delegation presented the minister with a publication documenting the history of the Nigeria Economic Summit and invited him to participate in the forthcoming Gender Summit scheduled for September 2026 in Abuja.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration to support Nigeria’s economic transformation, enhance investment promotion and drive sustainable development.
