By Rukayat Moisemhe
Some economic Stakeholders have called for strengthened governance frameworks and deeper collaboration between government and the private sector for national growth and development.
They made the call on Thursday night during the ‘Government Meets Business Dinner’ at the 2025 Annual Directors Conference by the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria.
Prof. Uche Uwaleke, Member, Presidential Fiscal and Tax Reforms Committee, noted that the current era was marked by rapid technological disruption, geopolitical shifts, evolving fiscal realities and the need to transition to a low-carbon, inclusive economy.
He, however, noted that for Nigerian enterprises, these changes represented both formidable challenges and unprecedented opportunities.
Uwaleke said that leadership must be about confronting hard choices and making deliberate shifts for long-term stability and not about maintaining comfort zones.
According to him, efforts of the Federal Government such as unification of exchange rate, fuel subsidy removal and tax reforms, reflects a leadership that understands that progress often begin with the courage to change direction.
“Yet, leadership must bring along stakeholders: businesses, state actors, civil society, in a shared vision.
“That is why this convening matters, as it symbolises the partnership between public and private sectors in responding to change,” he said.
Uwaleke outlined three pillars of synergistic leadership to include policy predictability, governance and inclusion as a growth strategy.
He said governments that provided clarity, coordination and credibility created the conditions for businesses to thrive sustainably.
“This administration’s ongoing reforms, from tax reforms, to infrastructure financing and MSME support, are steps in the direction.
“But success will depend on sustained collaboration between policy makers, regulators and the business community,” he said.
Uwaleke urged directors, as custodians of corporate strategy and governance, to use their influential positions to be ambassadors of the current administration’s reforms including championing tax compliance within their organisations.
He said they must embrace tax and other reforms as top priority board agenda, not back-office function.
The Chairman, Keystone Bank Ltd., Lady Ada Chukwudozie, described effective governance as a discipline that served as the unseen infrastructure holding together, resilient enterprises, stable economies and credible institutions.
Chukwudozie stressed that sustainability and collaboration must remain shared responsibilities among both sectors, to ensure long-term growth.
She emphasised that transparency, accountability, and inclusion, were essential values for leadership in today’s dynamic environment.
Chukwudozie said these principles informed Keystone Bank’s collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria to promote financial inclusion for women and micro, small and cottage enterprises that formed the backbone of the nation’s economy.
“Through initiatives that simplify access to credit and build capacity, we are proving that inclusive banking is not charity. It is smart economics.
“To lead through change, is to understand that governance is a continuous process; one that defines how we lead, how we account and how we build trust that endures,” she said.
Chukwudozie also urged leaders to uphold governance as the bridge between policy and prosperity, noting that trust and integrity were central to sustainable progress.
“While prosperity is built on trust, let us continue to build a Nigeria whose strength lies not only in its resources, but in the integrity of its leadership and the shared purpose of its enterprise,” she said.
The President, CIoD, Mr Adetunji Oyebanji, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector, to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Oyebanji noted the importance of fostering constructive dialogue, building trust and strengthening partnerships between business and government; two vital pillars for the growth of sustainable enterprises in Nigeria.
Oyebanji said CIoD Nigeria would continue to promote ethical, transparent and accountable leadership through corporate governance advocacy and policy engagement.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its support and collaboration and urged continued alignment between government and enterprise to build a resilient and inclusive economy.
“Building enduring enterprises requires a shared covenant between leaders in business and public service.
“Our mission is to create an environment where governance inspires trust and enterprise delivers prosperity,” he said.
