The National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) has concluded its retreat in Owerri, Imo State, with participants reporting a surge in economic activities across Nigeria. The five-day gathering brought together finance commissioners, accountants-general from all 36 states, and heads of revenue-generating agencies for strategic discussions on fiscal policy and national economic growth.
Imo State Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Chuck Chukwuemeka, described the retreat as a critical platform for shaping policies aimed at improving the livelihoods of everyday Nigerians. He noted that hosting the conference delivered an immediate economic boost to the state, with over 300 delegates arriving days before the event began.
“The economic impact cannot easily be quantified because you have over 300 people who actually descended into Imo since Saturday,” Chukwuemeka said. He highlighted significant gains for local hoteliers, restaurateurs, transportation providers, and allied small businesses during the delegates’ stay.
Participants expressed high satisfaction with Imo State’s current trajectory, praising visible achievements in infrastructure, security, and hospitality under Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration. Chukwuemeka commended the governor for enabling the seamless execution of the conference, stating that successfully hosting an event of such scale reinforces Imo’s growing reputation as a premier destination for major corporate and government gatherings.
The retreat’s outcome signals strengthened intergovernmental coordination on fiscal matters at a time when subnational economies are under pressure to diversify revenue streams and improve service delivery. Observers note that the choice of Owerri as host city reflects growing confidence in the southeast’s security and infrastructure readiness for high-profile national engagements.
