The Federal Government has called for increased investment in youth development, small businesses and technology, as well as stronger public-private partnerships, to transform Nigeria from a trading nation into a value-chain economy. 

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the call at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit during a panel session themed, “From Trade to Value Chains: Building Regional Industries to Compete Globally.” 

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Digital Media and Public Diplomacy, Raphael Oni, the minister said the government alone could not mobilise the resources required to drive economic growth. He stressed the need to attract investment from both domestic and foreign sources to build industries, create jobs and improve the living standards of Nigerians 

Enikanolaiye also called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to develop local industries capable of processing raw materials into finished products and competing in regional and international markets. He noted that constructive dialogue and deeper engagement between both sectors were essential to achieving shared prosperity. 

The minister further emphasised the importance of mobilising domestic capital alongside foreign investment to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base and accelerate economic development.