In a significant development for Nigeria’s trade landscape, a Stakeholders Meeting was convened on Monday, September 25th, attended by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was represented by her Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dame Ibifuro Tatua. The event also featured the presence of Dr. Mrs. Folashade Tinubu Ojo, the daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Iyaloja General of Nigerian Traders.
Dr. Mrs. Folashade Tinubu Ojo took center stage during the meeting, emphasizing the pivotal role that traders play in propelling economic activities within the nation. She stressed that the significance of traders in the economic framework could not be overstated and called for increased collaboration, cooperation, and the exchange of ideas among traders to consolidate their position as a formidable force in the country.
In response to these insightful remarks, Dame Ibifuro Tatua, the representative of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, conveyed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to facilitating seamless and efficient business transactions across all sectors. She underscored the Ministry’s alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy beyond its reliance on oil.
Dame Ibifuro Tatua recognized traders as an integral component of the Ministry’s purview and pledged unequivocal support for safeguarding the interests of both traders and consumers in Nigeria. She further disclosed that the Ministry was in the process of formulating policies designed to enhance the productivity of traders, potentially enabling many of them to become exporters in the near future.
Among the stakeholders in attendance, Mr. Suleiman Danjuma emphasized the imperative for local traders to expand their horizons beyond the Nigerian border by exploring opportunities for exporting their goods and services to other African countries and beyond.
The meeting proved to be an enlightening and collaborative forum, affording traders a platform to engage in meaningful discussions and establish connections with key decision-makers.
With the passionate commitment displayed by the Iyaloja General and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, the future appears promising for traders in Nigeria. This initiative holds the potential to significantly accelerate the growth and sustainability of small, medium, and large-scale businesses in Nigeria, ultimately leading to the creation of millions of jobs.
