NECA to lead national discussion on economic reforms at 2026 Employers’ Summit

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has announced that its 2026 Employers’ Summit will undertake a critical review of the impact of ongoing economic reforms on businesses, employment, investment, and national competitiveness.

The summit scheduled for June 29–30, 2026, in Abuja, will convene policymakers, business leaders, development partners, and key industry stakeholders to assess progress, identify emerging challenges, and chart a sustainable path for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Speaking ahead of the event, NECA Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, acknowledged the significance of recent reforms in addressing longstanding structural imbalances in the economy, while emphasising the need for a clear assessment of their real-sector outcomes.

Oyerinde noted that businesses across sectors continue to grapple with persistent headwinds, including high energy costs, exchange rate volatility, inflationary pressures, infrastructure deficits, regulatory complexity, and weak consumer demand.

The NECA boss added that although some macroeconomic indicators show signs of improvement, many enterprises particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) remain under significant strain.

According to him, the summit will, therefore, examine critical policy areas such as the effectiveness of economic reforms, industrial policy implementation, ease of doing business initiatives, tax administration reforms, sustainability reporting requirements, and broader strategies to improve the operating environment for enterprises.

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Oyerinde stated that the event will go beyond dialogue to generate actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening policy implementation and improving economic outcomes for both businesses and citizens.

According to him, a major highlight of the 2026 summit will be the launch of the ESG Implementation Guide for MSMEs in Nigeria, developed by NECA in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The guide is designed to support MSMEs in integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations in response to growing expectations from investors, regulators, financial institutions, and global markets.

Reaffirming NECA’s commitment to constructive engagement, Oyerinde stated that the association remains dedicated to advancing policies that promote enterprise sustainability, decent work, industrial development, and inclusive growth.

“We are optimistic that the Summit will contribute meaningfully to shaping policy direction and strengthening Nigeria’s economic future. The organised private sector stands ready to partner with government in building a more competitive, productive, and prosperous economy,” the NECA boss added.