By Goodluck Ikiebe
Photo From Left To Right
Sanyande Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and Economic Coordination; Raymond Omachi, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Ministry of Finance;
Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance; Wale Edun, Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, World Bank Executive Director for the Africa Group 1 Constituency (ANSA);
Glady Ekwere, SA-ED, World Bank; George Nyeso, Director, IER.
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to forge strategic partnerships with global institutions in a bid to boost economic resilience and reduce reliance on external debt.
In a meeting between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun and World Bank Executive Director, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, held at the Finance Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday, the Minister underscored the country’s commitment to private sector-driven growth and sustainable development.
He reiterated the nation’s commitment to private sector-driven growth and reduced reliance on external debt financing while also acknowledging the World Bank’s role in supporting Nigeria’s development.
Mr Edun, who attended the meeting alongside the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, as well as the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mr Raymond Omenka Omachi,
emphasised the government’s focus on fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts sustainable investments. Part of a broader strategy to leverage alternative financing sources beyond traditional multilateral loans.
Dr Ahmed, who previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, praised the country’s macroeconomic reforms, which have improved fiscal stability and investor confidence.
She highlighted the World Bank’s recent financial reforms that have enhanced its lending capacity, making an additional $150 billion available over the next decade.
A key area of discussion was Nigeria’s role in Mission 300, the World Bank’s initiative to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans.
Mr Edun reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the programme, stressing that improved power infrastructure is critical for economic growth, industrial expansion, and private sector competitiveness.
According to the Minister, “President Tinubu remains focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic foundation, reducing dependency on external borrowing, and ensuring long-term, private-sector-led development”.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of global economic dynamics, its partnership with the World Bank is poised to yield significant dividends.
Our Correspondent reports that with a renewed focus on private sector-driven growth, sustainable investments, and improved power infrastructure, Nigeria is well on its way to achieving long-term economic prosperity.
