President Bola Tinubu has met with private sector leaders, including Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Raniu, Tony Elumelu, and Wale Tinubu to discuss the economic hardship that has beleaguered the country with efforts to address the problem.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa Abuja, discussed “the economy, food security and security of the nation,” Mr Dangote told journalists after the meeting.
According to an official transcript of the meeting, Mr Tinubu told his guests that his government was looking for “additional efforts” that could help poor Nigerians in this difficult period.
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“Let’s look at what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong to bring life back to the economy. As I said, many times, the people of this country are only the people whom we have to please. And we are very much concerned from students to mothers and fathers, farmers, the traders, and realize that every one of us will have to fetch water from the same well.
“We’re looking for additional efforts that might help the downtrodden Nigerians and we will provide that hope and reassurance that economic recovery is on its way.
“We are not saying that we have all the answers. But we will not be blamed for not trying. We assure Nigerians that we will do our best to get our marshall plan in place and fashion out the best economic future for this country,” the president said.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, Mr Elumelu said “Implementing the decisions we arrived at today will help propel our economy.”
Highlights of the meeting
- President Tinubu inaugurated an Economic Advisory Committee made of up eminent players in the economic sector, including Aliko Dangote, and Tony Elumelu, among others.
- The advisory committee will come up with a policy framework that will help the administration look at what it is doing right and what it is doing wrong to bring life back to the economy.
- Dangote said the discussion was generally about the economy, food security, security of the nation, and foreign exchange rate.
- Governor Soludo said the standing committee will be meeting from time to time to evaluate how things are going and make recommendations to President Tinubu.
- Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria said issues surrounding foreign exchange, insecurity, and general operating environment were discussed and that the President assured of some major changes soon.
