The president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Jami Ibrahim, says Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030 is achievable.
Mr Ibrahim said on Saturday in Abuja at the NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneur National Youth Summit 2025, that the road to its achievement lies in digital transformation.
He urged government at all levels, alongside stakeholders, to work assiduously toward unlocking the potential of the youth to achieve the nation’s goal.
“Nigeria’s ambition of building a one trillion dollar economy by 2030 is bold, it’s also very achievable. But you only realise it if we unlock the future’s full potentials, the full potentials of our youth.
“So, I want to throw a challenge to the youth that it can be done, and that the element and the people who do it are those of us who are sitting in this room today, the youth.
“The road to this economy lies in digital transformation. Digital transformation, innovation-driven entrepreneurship and robust policy frameworks that enable young people to thrive. Young people must thrive,” he said.
The NACCIMA boss advocated a conducive environment for youth to thrive in business and urged lawmakers to pass the necessary laws to promote business development in the country.
“ Let them know that they have the full backing of the law to do what they have to do. It’s a task and it must be done. There is no alternative. It is something that must be done,” he said.
He restated NACCIMA’s commitment to ensuring the achievement of the economic target.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by Ugonna Aneke, an official in the ministry, harped on the need to strengthen the capacity of the youth.
“We need to strengthen our economies and sustain our environments. Sustainable innovation that balances economic progress with environmental stewardship and social inclusion has become a necessity and not a choice.
“It is in this journey that our youth are the greatest catalyst. They bring bold ideas, digital adaptability, and the courage to disrupt the status quo,” he stated.
Alhassan Doguwa, chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and the Special Committee on Oil Theft, commended the federal government for initiating youth-oriented policies.
Rotimi Olaoluwa, the national publicity secretary for NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneur, said the summit brought all the stakeholders together to unlock the youth’s potential for the nation’s development.
“That’s why we are bringing those major stakeholders to tell us the programme they have in their different organisations so the youth can tap into that opportunity,” he added.
(NAN)
