Business
THE Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says its annual Employers’ Summit will become the International Employers’ Summit from 2027, expanding global policy dialogue, investment opportunities and collaboration among employers across Africa and beyond.
The Director-General of NECA, Mr Adewale Oyerinde, said this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the two-day Nigeria Employers’ Summit 2026.
The fifth edition of the summit, organised by NECA, has the theme: “Leveraging Reforms and ESG for Enterprise Competitiveness and Inclusive National Growth.”
Oyerinde said the transition reflected NECA’s commitment to promoting investment, labour migration, enterprise development and economic transformation through stronger partnerships across Africa and the international business community.
“Beginning in 2027, the Nigerian Employers’ Summit will transition into the International Employers’ Summit,” he said.
He said NECA’s partnerships across more than 50 African countries and its affiliation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) would strengthen the summit’s global outlook and expand stakeholder participation.
“Through our partnerships in more than 50 African countries and our affiliation with the ILO, representing more than 180 member states, the summit will become a global platform,” he said.
Oyerinde urged organisations, institutions and individuals yet to partner with the summit to join the initiative, describing it as a platform shaping conversations beyond Nigeria’s business environment.
“We are building a platform that will shape conversations, not only within Nigeria, but across Africa and the international business community,” he said.
The NECA director-general said the summit had consistently produced practical policy recommendations over the past five years, helping to strengthen confidence between government and the organised private sector.
He recalled that the summit was established to unite employers across sectors, enabling them to exchange ideas on economic issues and recommend policies that supported sustainable enterprise development.
According to him, organised private sector groups have consistently supported the removal of fuel subsidy, describing the decision as necessary in spite of the short-term challenges for businesses and citizens.
“These reforms are necessary. Difficult as they may be, they were inevitable if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable economic growth,” Oyerinde said.
He said employers understood the need for ongoing reforms but expected government to address challenges confronting businesses through practical policy adjustments that would improve enterprise competitiveness.
According to him, the summit remains a solution-driven, evidence-based platform where employers engage policymakers to ensure government decisions reflect business realities and promote sustainable economic development.
Oyerinde said discussions during the two-day summit would focus on economic reforms, industrial policy, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, regulatory reforms and implementation of Nigeria’s tax reforms.
He commended government officials, development partners, diplomatic representatives, business leaders and participants for supporting the summit, urging them to contribute actively to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, said enterprise competitiveness and workers’ protection remained complementary national development priorities.
Faleye said protected workers were more confident, productive and resilient, while businesses investing in employees’ welfare built stronger institutions capable of supporting long-term economic growth.
“At the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, we believe enterprise competitiveness and workers’ protection are complementary, not competing objectives. A protected workforce is more confident, productive and resilient,” he said.
He said the Employees’ Compensation Scheme remained a critical social protection mechanism that assured employers of a fair operating environment while safeguarding workers as Nigeria pursued inclusive economic reforms.
Faleye reaffirmed NSITF’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with NECA through workplace safety initiatives, including the Safe Workplace Campaign, while commending the association’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.(NAN)
Tags: Employers Summit NECA