Uzoka-Anite, Southeast business leaders seek strategic partnership with Lagos

In a move aimed at deepening collaboration between the public and private sectors, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has called for stronger partnership between the Federal and the Lagos State Governments to drive economic growth and national development.

Uzoka-Anite made the call during a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos, where she led a delegation of prominent business leaders from the Southeast to discuss opportunities for cooperation and investment.

In a statement by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations, the Minister commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and the transformative progress recorded in Lagos across various sectors.

“It’s always a pleasure to be in Lagos, a city that truly never sleeps and continues to lead in innovation, enterprise, and economic growth,” she said.

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“I bring warm greetings from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, in appreciation of your outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing both Lagos and the national economic agenda in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision,” Uzoka-Anite added.

She noted that Lagos remains a model of partnership between federal and state authorities, citing its collaboration with the Federal Government on key infrastructure projects such as the Lagos Green Line Metro Rail.

According to the Minister, her visit was also in line with the President’s directive for ministers to engage stakeholders nationwide to promote economic expansion.

She unveiled a new initiative — the Government and Private Sector (GPS) Dialogue Series — designed to strengthen communication and cooperation between policymakers and business leaders.

“The GPS Dialogue is a platform built on trust, dialogue, and shared responsibility, where government and the private sector jointly design solutions for national growth. We are proposing to host the inaugural edition here in Lagos — the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria and indeed West Africa,” Uzoka-Anite explained.

She solicited Governor Sanwo-Olu’s support for the event and urged active participation from key members of his cabinet, noting that Lagos’ leadership and partnership would be instrumental in making the initiative impactful.

The Minister also introduced members of her delegation, leading Southeast entrepreneurs based in Lagos, whom she described as symbols of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit and drivers of national unity through enterprise.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), expanding access to finance, and fostering inclusive growth, Uzoka-Anite said, “Together, we can build a Nigeria where innovation is rewarded and prosperity is within every citizen’s reach.”

In his response, Governor Sanwo-Olu welcomed the initiative and assured that Lagos State would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government and private sector to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

He commended the choice of Lagos as the host for the maiden GPS Dialogue, emphasizing his administration’s dedication to inclusiveness, fairness, and opportunity for all.

During the visit, the Southeast business delegation also proposed the creation of a Lagos-Igbo Consultative Council, aimed at strengthening engagement between the Igbo business community and the Lagos State Government.

As the Federal Government, Lagos State, and Southeast business leaders deepen their partnership, stakeholders expressed optimism that the renewed synergy will unlock new pathways for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth across Nigeria.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE