Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s decisive economic reforms are intended to serve the collective interest of Nigerians.
He made this statement while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) during a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the delegation was led by NACCIMA’s National President, Mr. Jani Ibrahim.
In his address, Shettima emphasized the administration’s dedication to economic recovery, saying the government had laid down a favorable foundation for serious business activity. He pointed to bold initiatives, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, reforms in the foreign exchange system, and the restructuring of the country’s tax framework.
“I assure you that Nigeria is now open for business, and you are the agents of transformation,” Shettima stated.
He admitted to maintaining strong ties with the business and industrial sectors, adding that such collaborations are crucial for national development. “This is how great nations rise. It’s how Korea transformed into a global power,” he noted.
The Vice-President said President Tinubu’s background in commerce and finance has positioned him to prioritize economic reforms despite pushback from powerful interests. He emphasized that the President’s choices reflect a commitment to long-term national benefit.
“This administration belongs to you, the business community. The President speaks your language – the language of commerce. He was raised in this ecosystem, managed corporate operations, and even served as a financial controller at Mobil,” Shettima said.
He praised Tinubu’s resolve in ending the fuel subsidy regime, describing it as a persistent liability that previous governments were unable to tackle. “The oil cabal resisted, but the President held firm. He did it in the people’s best interest,” Shettima remarked.
In his earlier remarks, Mr. Ibrahim mentioned that he was elected as NACCIMA President and Chairman of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) just a month earlier during the body’s 65th Annual General Meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He commended Vice-President Shettima’s leadership across several top national economic bodies, including the National Economic Council (NEC), National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and various MSME councils.
“National prosperity depends on a strong synergy between the government and private sector. While we acknowledge that the private sector drives growth, it is the government that shapes the enabling landscape,” Ibrahim stated.
He proposed routine interactions between the Vice-President’s office and the organised private sector, suggesting bi-annual consultative meetings. Ibrahim also appealed for the inclusion of private sector representatives in essential government councils and policy bodies, especially those handling trade, privatisation, industry, and SMEs.
What You Should Know
Vice-President Shettima, during a recent engagement with NACCIMA, reinforced the government’s commitment to economic reforms.
He praised President Tinubu’s resolve in removing the fuel subsidy and called for deeper collaboration with the private sector to accelerate national development.
