You have served in various leading capacities in the private and public sectors. How have these experiences impacted your role as the Honourable Minister of Trade and Investment?
The range of experiences I gained in the academia private and public sectors have been instrumental in shaping my approach to governance.
In the private sector, as an investment and corporate banker I gained firsthand insight into the challenges businesses face, particularly in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and securing sustainable investment.
This largely translated into my chosen areas of interest as a researcher and policy maker in the space of international economic law.
In the last 10 years in the public sector, I have been gratified to witness some of the impact derived from implementing important national reforms that improve regulations and promote good regulations while enhancing transparency and efficiency in public service delivery and the ease of doing business.
The balance between policy and practical execution is key, and my experiences have shaped my approach to ensuring that Nigeria’s trade policies are responsive to the needs of businesses, particularly in the face of rapidly changing global trends.
I am focused on creating synergies that enable local entrepreneurs and foreign investors to thrive in a stable, efficient and transparent environment.
When you assumed office, you said your immediate priorities were to champion Nigerian businesses, foster an export-led economy; and attract sustainable investments, optimize trade policy for growth across sectors. How are you achieving this especially through ‘Road to Davos’?
The “Road to Davos” is central to these goals, as it helps position Nigeria as a prime investment destination early in the year.
Through this outing, we are engaging key global stakeholders, showcasing the potential of investment opportunities in Nigeria, and demonstrating our government’s dedication to creating a business-friendly environment.
My strategy is focused on positioning Nigeria as an export-driven and retention-oriented economy. Rebuilding the Trade and Investment Strategy and aligning the NationalTrade Policy with fiscal and monitory reforms for productivity and competitiveness has been key to promoting value-added exports, diversifying revenue streams, and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
A major priority has been fully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) protocols and accelerating digital trade to attract investment, address market competitiveness gaps and enable greater participation of Nigerian business in regional trade.
By streamlining trade procedures and improving coordination among ministries and regulatory agencies, we are significantly enhancing access to regional and global markets, and fostering a more competitive trade ecosystem within Nigeria, regionally and internationally Our primary goal is to build resilient and sustainable local economies that can create jobs and improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, especially our youth and women.
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