Former Minister of Finance and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has advised newly elected governors on the critical requirement for successful nation-building in Nigeria. She made these remarks during an induction ceremony organized for elected governors in Abuja, where she highlighted that trust is critical to nation-building.
Okonjo-Iweala expressed deep sadness over the conduct of the 2023 general elections, emphasizing that trust in Nigeria remains a fragile issue. Therefore, “following the election, a lot of trust has been broken,” she stated.
The former minister pointed out that taking a more extensive global context into account is one critical prerequisite for successful nation-building. Another essential requirement is trust and a sense of common purpose. She noted that to move ahead and seize a better future, political and business leaders at the state and national levels must form a compact to pursue pro-growth and pro-development policies.
Okonjo-Iweala stated that Nigeria should aim to double its growth rate and sustain that higher growth until it attains upper middle-income status. She also observed that Nigeria’s trust is essential for such a compact, adding that the country has never been able to agree on a common set of principles, values, and policies that deliver consistently to citizens regardless of their ethnic group or political persuasion.
The former minister emphasized that the only way for governors to regain the absolute trust of Nigerians is to implement policies and programs that endear the masses to them. “You have a lot of healing to do—within your states and between them,” she said.
Okonjo-Iweala urged governors to rebuild the Nigerian brand in the wider regional and international economy. “Narratives about countries matter for capital allocation decisions, especially for emerging markets and developing economies. When we show that we are conscious of our role as the largest economy in Africa, foreign investment follows.”
In conclusion, the former finance minister advised the governors to demonstrate that Nigerians are equal, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, or political background, and that they can settle and do business in any part of the country without fear.
By stressing the significance of trust and pro-growth and pro-development policies, Okonjo-Iweala has underscored the need for governors to take responsibility for nation-building. Only by prioritizing these agendas can they begin to rebuild trust in Nigeria.
