Abuja: The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, stating that they align with the aspirations of the Organised Private Sector (OPS). Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the Director General of NECA, made this statement during the 2025 edition of the Employers Summit held in Abuja, organized by NECA.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit, themed 'Enabling Sustainable Enterprise in a Transiting Economic: Aligning Fiscal, Trade and Regulatory Reforms for Rapid National Development,' served as a platform for critical stakeholders to deliberate and agree on the execution of the government's economic reforms. Oyerinde emphasized that the reforms undertaken by the federal government reflect the desires of employers and are timely in bringing together reformers and implementers to foster consensus and propose policy recommendations.
Oyerinde highlighted the importance of the summit in addressing the challenges faced by the private sector and employers, and in exploring potential solutions or innovations that could alleviate pressure on the sector. He noted that employers play a crucial role in national development through job creation, tax payments, and contributions to economic growth. The summit's timing coincides with the government's implementation of various reforms, including tax reform bills.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Mr. Temitola Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and Small, Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), underscored the significance of building a resilient and inclusive economy driven by private enterprise and enabled by government support. Shettima acknowledged the positive contributions of the organised private sector to Nigeria's socio-economic development through job creation and provision of goods and services.
Shettima further elaborated on the administration's vision to establish an economy where sustainable business enterprises flourish and generate decent jobs. He highlighted the comprehensive reforms being undertaken by the government, focusing on prudent expenditure and a more efficient, transparent, and equitable tax system. These reforms aim to steer the economy towards stability, sustainability, and prosperity, laying the foundation for a transparent, competitive, diversified, and investor-friendly environment.