Nigeria's Enikanolaiye Advocates for Youth Investment

The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for heightened investment in youth development, small businesses, and technology to shift the nation from a trading economy to a value-chain economy. Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, made this statement during a panel at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, themed “From Trade to Value Chains: Building Regional Industries to Compete Globally.” Enikanolaiye emphasized that government alone cannot mobilize the necessary resources for economic growth and stressed the importance of public-private partnerships.

He identified Nigeria's youthful population as a significant asset that could drive industrialization if supported with investments in human capital and innovation. The minister also discussed the need for improved macroeconomic stability to facilitate informed investment decisions.

He stated that the administration's foreign policy prioritizes national interest and economic prosperity for citizens, asserting that democracy must yield tangible economic benefits.