ABUJA — Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that no government can fully understand or grow the economy if it fails to engage employers and the private sector, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a more business-friendly environment across Nigeria.
Speaking at the 5th Nigerian Employers’ Summit in Abuja on Thursday, Shettima, represented by the President’s Special Adviser on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, said sustained dialogue with employers remains essential to achieving economic growth and implementing effective reforms.
According to the Vice President, the Tinubu administration is focused on eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks and digitising government processes to ensure that reforms introduced at the federal level are felt by businesses in Lagos, Kano, Aba and other parts of the country without unnecessary delays.
“Any government that ignores employers cannot fully understand the economy,” he said.
Describing the summit as timely, Shettima said Nigeria is at a critical stage where difficult but necessary conversations must be held on issues such as production costs, taxation, exchange rates, access to credit and investment.
He stressed that businesses thrive not on sentiment but on predictable policies, reliable energy, functional infrastructure and a fair tax system.
The Vice President also defended the administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, describing them as bold but necessary steps to restore macroeconomic stability.
According to him, the reforms are designed to correct long-standing structural distortions, rebuild investor confidence and lay the foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
“The easy option was to postpone difficult decisions. But leadership is tested when the right decision is also the difficult one,” he said.
Shettima noted that the government’s fiscal and tax reforms are aimed at reducing multiple taxation, simplifying tax administration, supporting small businesses and encouraging compliance while broadening the tax base needed to finance critical infrastructure.
He added that the private sector is not opposed to taxation but seeks a transparent system that does not discourage legitimate businesses through excessive levies, delays and regulatory uncertainty.
Commending the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) for its role in promoting dialogue between government, labour and the private sector, Shettima described the organisation as a credible partner that has consistently contributed to national economic development.
In his welcome address, NECA Director-General, Mr. Adewale Oyerinde, said the Employers’ Summit has, over the past five years, produced practical policy recommendations that have strengthened collaboration between government and the organised private sector.
He noted that the summit has become an important platform for advancing discussions on enterprise sustainability, job creation, investment and inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.
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