The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has affirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold policies are being implemented in the interest of Nigerians, emphasising that the administration has created an enabling environment for serious business operations in the country.
He identified some of the bold initiatives taken by the administration in this regard to include the removal of fuel subsidy, the realignment of the multiple exchange rates system, and the ongoing tax reforms in the country.
Senator Shettima, who stated this on Wednesday when he met with the newly elected executives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), led by their National President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, assured the association of President Tinubu’s support.
“I can assure you that Nigeria is ready for business, and you are the drivers of change. I plead guilty to romancing with the business community – the manufacturing sector; the productive sector. This is how great nations build; this is how Korea became what it is,” he told the delegation.
The Vice President noted that while undertaking the ongoing reforms in the country, President Tinubu has refused to shift ground on his bold initiatives, saying they are being taken by his administration for the interest of the Nigerian people.
He said, “I want to assure you that the current administration is your own because the President speaks your language – the language of commerce. He grew up in that ecosystem; he knows how businesses are run. He was the financial controller of Mobil.
“And he (the President) has taken some bold initiatives. For instance, while fuel subsidy had been an albatross around the neck of successive administrations, he had the courage and the conviction to withdraw fuel subsidy.
“And we know the consequence of unveiling a masquerade. The oil cabal is richer than the Nigerian nation; they fought back, but he (President Tinubu) refused to budge. He stood his ground because what he did was in the best interest of Nigerians.”
Earlier, the National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Ibrahim explained that he became the national president of the association and chairman of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) a month ago at the annual general meeting of NACCIMA, where new executive members were elected.
He commended the unwavering leadership of the Vice President as the Chairman of critical national economic bodies such as National Economic Council (NEC), National Council on Privatization (NCP), Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), PEBEC and MSMEs, among others, adding that VP Shettima’s strategic role offers invaluable platform for allowing public private action towards sustainable national development.
“National prosperity is anchored on strong collaboration between government and private sector. We recognise the private sector as the engine of growth while the government sets the enabling framework.
“We respectfully request a mechanism for regular engagements between the organised private sector and your office, including bi-annual consultative sessions,” the NACCIMA President stated.
Ibrahim also requested that organised private sector representatives be included in key government councils and technical bodies, particularly in areas relating to trade, industry, privatisation and small and medium enterprises.
Jani and other executives were last month elected at the 65th Annual General Meeting, Conference and Investiture of the association in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital.
Signed
Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications
(Office of The Vice President)
24th July, 2025
