NESG CALLS FOR MORE INVESTMENT TO DRIVE JOB CREATION

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The Nigerian Economic Summit Group has said Nigeria’s current level of investment is insufficient to create enough jobs, improve productivity and deliver broad-based economic growth for its growing population.

The private sector-led policy group made the statement ahead of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit scheduled for October 26 and 27, 2026, in Abuja.

The NESG identified infrastructure deficits, limited access to long-term financing, regulatory uncertainty and high business costs as factors that have constrained productive investment in the country.

It said recent economic reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment, improving fiscal sustainability and restoring investor confidence were necessary but needed to be followed by increased productive investment.

Under the summit’s “Invest Nigeria” agenda, discussions will focus on attracting domestic and foreign investment into agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, energy, mining, logistics and the creative economy.

The group also called for deeper capital markets, stronger policy frameworks and fewer barriers to business expansion.

It identified micro, small and medium enterprises as an important part of the investment drive, saying improved access to finance, reduced regulatory burdens and greater business formalisation could support enterprise growth and employment.

The NESG also stressed the need for investment in education, healthcare, digital literacy, vocational training and workforce development to improve productivity and align skills with labour market demands.

The 2026 summit will bring together stakeholders from government, business, finance, academia and development institutions to discuss investment, productivity, job creation and shared prosperity.