Business
NACCIMA Highlights Concerns Over Government Economic Reforms and Private Sector Growth
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has expressed concerns that the current economic reforms implemented by the Federal Government are not fostering growth within the private sector.
Instead, these reforms appear to be disproportionately benefiting the public sector.
The public sector encompasses the segments of the economy that are owned, controlled, and managed by the government, including various agencies and institutions responsible for delivering essential goods and services such as transportation, infrastructure, and public works.
Dele Kelvin Oye, President of NACCIMA, made these observations during an appearance on AriseTV News, stating, “In 2024, data, metrics, and statistics indicate that the private sector is shouldering the negative impacts of the nation’s economic reforms, enduring challenging conditions such as high inflation, increased borrowing costs, and currency devaluation.”
Oye emphasized the need for the government and its economic advisory teams to acknowledge the private sector as a vital stakeholder in the economy.
“While the public sector continues to thrive and expand, the economic benefits derived from recent reforms have largely been absorbed by the public sector through significant capital transfers and revenue increases.
In contrast, the private sector is grappling with escalating inflation, higher borrowing costs, unresolved foreign currency commitments amounting to 2.4 billion USD from the CBN, and rising operational expenses across all sectors.”
He further noted that the persistent imbalance caused by heightened public sector spending has been detrimental to the private sector, leading to value erosion due to excessive fiscal deficits financed through government borrowing at unsustainably high interest rates.
Looking ahead to 2025, Oye remarked, “The proposed expenditure framework appears to be heavily weighted towards substantial capital transfers to specific sectors that may not enhance national wealth.”
He advocated for the government to cultivate an environment that empowers the private sector to spearhead economic initiatives.
Business
President Tinubu to present 2026 budget to N/Assembly Friday
The 2026 budget is projected at N54.4 trillion, according to the approved 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will, on Friday, present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The presentation, scheduled for 2:00 pm, was conveyed in a notice issued by the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
According to the notice, all accredited persons are required to be at their duty posts by 11:00 am on the day of the presentation, as access into the National Assembly Complex will be restricted thereafter for security reasons.
The notice, signed by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, urged all concerned to ensure strict compliance with the arrangements ahead of the President’s budget presentation.
The 2026 budget is projected at N54.4 trillion, according to the approved 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued a disclaimer distancing himself from a purported response circulating online regarding recent corruption allegations levelled against him by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
In a statement titled “DISCLAIMER/CLARIFICATION” personally signed by Ahmed, he categorically denied authoring or authorising any prior public response to the claims.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person,” the statement read.
“I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.
“Ahmed acknowledged awareness of what he described as “wild and spurious allegations” targeting him and his family, which have sparked significant public attention. However, citing his role as regulator of a sensitive industry, he said he has deliberately avoided engaging in public exchanges or “brickbats.”
“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution,” Ahmed noted. “I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.
“The disclaimer comes amid escalating tensions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Dangote, president of Dangote Industries Limited, recently petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Ahmed over claims of living beyond legitimate means, including alleged multi-million-dollar expenditures on his children’s education abroad.
The ICPC has confirmed receipt of the petition and stated it will be duly investigated.Ahmed’s statement signals his preference for the matter to be resolved through official channels rather than media debates.
Business
Adesanya joins FrieslandCampina from Guinness Nigeria
Adesanya announced the move on his LinkedIn page, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO has appointed former Guinness Nigeria Commercial Director, Olusanya Adesanya, as its new Group Director of Sales, marking a significant talent shift in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods sector.
Adesanya announced the move on his LinkedIn page, stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Director of Group Sales at FrieslandCampina.”
Adesanya, regarded as one of the country’s foremost commercial strategists, has been instrumental in Guinness Nigeria’s resurgence.
His exit was confirmed in a statement signed by the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Girish Sharma, who hailed his “twelve remarkable years of positive impact and growth.”
According to Guinness Nigeria, Adesanya joined the company in 2013 as a sales representative and rose through the ranks across the South-East, Lagos and South-West regions, ultimately becoming commercial director in 2023.
Over the years, he led retail expansion initiatives, including the launch of Project REAP, which transformed retail execution and broadened the company’s distribution footprint.
Under his leadership, Guinness recorded double-digit topline growth, improved margins, enhanced trade spend efficiency and strengthened distributor profitability.
His performance earned him several awards, including the African President Awards (2021) and MAD Awards (2014 and 2015).
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