Nigeria’s former finance minister and current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has outlined two major priorities for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen the nation’s economy.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with the president at the Aso Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Okonjo-Iweala commended Tinubu for implementing reforms that have helped stabilise the economy over the past two years.

According to her, the next critical steps are clear:

Grow the economy – to create more opportunities and increase income levels.

Provide a social safety net – to cushion the financial strain on Nigerians most affected by the government’s reforms.

She emphasised that while stabilisation is important, everyday Nigerians must begin to feel the benefits in their pockets.

“The reforms have been in the right direction. What is needed next is growth. We have to grow the economy. We also need to put up a social safety net for those feeling the pinch of the reforms,” she said.

The discussion with President Tinubu focused on how to stimulate economic growth while ensuring that vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the process.

With these recommendations, Okonjo-Iweala hopes to see policies that not only maintain stability but also deliver tangible relief and prosperity to the people.