[/b]Osinbajo: Rallying private sector for economic resurgence despite challenges, COVID-19 restrictions[b]

Though Federal and State governments and various agencies have so far managed the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria with a view to minimising its adverse effects on lives and livelihoods, the pandemic-induced economic challenges have continued to bite harder on Nigerians amidst other challenges facing the nation. With rising inflation rate, unstable global oil price, continued depreciation of the Naira against the US dollar and pervading atmosphere of insecurity currently enveloping some parts of the country, citizens’ lamentations and demand for better governance and improved living standards have been sustained.
The worsening economic situation, which experts have identified as been responsible for rising crime rate, recurring abduction and killing of innocent people, keeps dampening hope among the population. And as the situation deteriorates by the day, the nation’s unity is also threatened, igniting calls for secession by some separatists. On another hand, thousands of despairing youths keep struggling to get out of the country in search of the Golden Fleece.

Long before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed millions of lives globally, experts had identified corruption, fall in crude oil prices, overreliance on crude oil, lack of economic diversification, the spate of violence among the constituent units, lack of policy directions on the part of the government, and greed as the major causes of Nigeria’s economic problems. But the global economic effect of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic is currently taking its toll on the nation’s monolithic economy.


Indeed, Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural resources ranging from solid minerals (crude oil, gold, tin, iron ore, niobium, lead, zinc, limestone, salt and the like) to arable land with varieties of agricultural products such as palm oil, cocoa, groundnut, beans, melon, corns and rice, among others. Undeniably, before the emergence of oil, which was responsible for the nation’s focal shift from being an agricultural dependent country to an oil-dependent nation, the hub of Nigeria’s economy before was agriculture.
But the oil boom era of the 1970s made Nigeria a victim of a monolithic economy without corresponding policy that will prop it for steady and encompassing growth. Today, oil revenue accounts for almost 90 per cent of the nation’s gross export revenue, leaving a paltry 10 per cent to other commodities such as agricultural produce and solid minerals.

From the 1970 oil boom era to date, heavy reliance was on oil revenue. With fluctuation in oil prices and subsequent sharp decline in price in the recent periods, it is evident that over-dependence on oil as a major source of revenue could fail the country, what with its inability to finance the budget as usual.

In 2014, the U.S announced its reduction of purchase of crude oil from Nigeria. This made the country drop from the 5th to 6th position as one of the major suppliers of crude to the U.S. According to Olivier Jakob, a Swiss-based consultant, “it’s a very plausible scenario that one day the U.S won’t need to import crude oil from Nigeria as the U.S is awash with light crude. Nigeria crude may need to be placed at a discount to go to new markets in Asia.”

But despite the plethora of economic and security challenges, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinabjo, regarded by many Nigerians as a pivotal figure in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, believes that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that the nation could still find her out of the doldrums.


The Vice President at different occasions, especially at events he attended last week, expressed hope that there were ways out of the nation’s economic conundrums, saying that challenges brought by COVID-19 and other factors were not insurmountable, especially when the right strategy and approach were adopted.
While speaking at the formal launch and sensitisation workshop on the National Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan in Abuja, Prof Osinbajo emphasised the need for economic diversification. He added that with planning and optimising the value chain, the industry could become a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy by improving the foreign exchange earnings, boosting growth, and providing employment for young Nigerians.

Noting that Nigeria was yet to fully maximize her potentials, particularly in the leather value chain sector, despite exporting millions of semi-finished and finished leather products to destinations including Italy, Spain, India, South Asia and China, the VP said the country was one of the highest producers of leather and finished leather products in Africa with projected revenue of US$1 billion by 2025.

He said: “The leather value chain is extensive. It includes animal husbandry, tanneries, finished leather products and leather products marketing. The leather and leather products industry currently employs over 750,000 workers with about 500,000 workers in the finished leather goods sector. About 11 leather-exporting companies have been active at the upstream end of the leather value chain.

“Also, the export of leather has grown steadily, reaching a peak of $117 million in 2018. Exports fell in 2020 largely due to the pandemic, but to date, are still in the order of $272m.”

Corroborating the VP on economic diversification, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, LCCI, in one of its recent reports, said Nigeria could rise from being the largest economy in Africa and 22nd globally to the top 10 in 2050 with a projected GDP of US$6.4 trillion, surpassing Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Saudi Arabia through diversification from the economic over-dependence on crude oil alone.

The LCCI also said that potentially, Nigeria’s global agriculture exports could take off at a rate similar to Brazil’s, with US$59 billion in export revenues by 2030. “Similarly, values added to Oil and Gas output need to urgently improve by implementing diversification within the sector. This requires investments across the downstream sector to develop petrochemicals, fertilisers, methanol and refining, industries relevant in both industrial and consumer products, which Nigeria currently imports.

https://m.guardian.ng/features/osinbajo-rallying-private-sector-for-economic-resurgence-despite-challenges-covid-19-restrictions/amp/

Investment in mining gold and other God given resources couple with continuous diversification in agriculture with operations around oil business, economy boom will happen, definitely. We are blessed with all these things.

Covid19 effect on governance, well being, ways of life, what we consume is global, some countries are still battling with recession not even thinking about other aspect of governance. If Nigeria government and private sector can work together to some extent improve the economy, reduce hardship by people, it will be commendable.

Iranu

Make e go sit-down one side with the eye service

We all have a role to play including the private sectors if we are to make Nigeria great. Indeed, Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural resources ranging from solid minerals to arable land with varieties of agricultural products which was responsible for the nation’s focal shift from being an agricultural dependent country to an oil-dependent nation.

vedaxcool:
Star boy, we are solidly with you on this. Wailing clowns should see how they can can benefit from all these efforts being channeled.

Zombie

Star boy, we are solidly with you on this. Wailing clowns should see how they can can benefit from all these efforts being channeled.

The issue of COVID-19 has advert event on our economy, mostly all sectors have been maimed and deteriorating but all in all there should be a diversification and shift from focusing oil to others like Agriculture which will in term will reduce the scarcity of food

skywalker240:
Make e go sit-down one side with the eye service

Who dey do eye service? I guessed you didn't read the contents of the message before you commented

Bola146:
Iranu

Someone like you will always complaining

okefranci:

Who dey do eye service? I guessed you didn't read the contents of the message before you commented

I didn't


But it all boils down to strategic campaigns for the clerk


Save it, it ain't working

Ceenachi:


Zombie

Cownurdice should receive their Beerfraud lashes

Interesting

Who is the private sector.. is it not the same ones you have beaten so bad while most have closed shops?

- The ones that buy dollar at 515..
- The ones inflations is consuming on double digits..
- The ones that unemployment is on 33%.
- The ones insecurity has forced to close down branches, schools, and living in IDP camps..

Is there another private sector?

Our next presido....

Apart from this man,I can't see anyone among the present bunch of criminals we have now who's eligible enough to rule Nigeria..

.

Just the other day, the government shut down Twitter! Who invests in such draconian and unstable atmosphere? Investors are not stupid!

Story

Too much grammar yet no productivity.

Pleaseing the media and acting to the gallery I would say�.

Check my signature biko. You might need my help.

The oil boom era of the 1970s made Nigeria a victim of a monolithic economy without corresponding policy that will prop it for steady and encompassing growth. Today, oil revenue accounts for almost 90 per cent of the nation’s gross export revenue, leaving a paltry 10 per cent to other commodities such as agricultural produce and solid minerals.
From the 1970 oil boom era to date, heavy reliance was on oil revenue. 

Over reliant on oil has done us more harm than good in this nation.
Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural resources ranging from solid minerals (crude oil, gold, tin, iron ore, niobium, lead, zinc, limestone, salt and the like) to arable land with varieties of agricultural products such as palm oil, cocoa, groundnut, beans, melon, corns and rice, among others. Undeniably, before the emergence of oil, which was responsible for the nation’s focal shift from being an agricultural dependent country to an oil-dependent nation, the hub of Nigeria’s economy before was agriculture.
Let us go back to the basis and watch thr citizen's life get better and better.
Nigeria will be great again in our lifetime.

okefranci:
The issue of COVID-19 has advert event on our economy, mostly all sectors have been maimed and deteriorating but all in all there should be a diversification and shift from focusing oil to others like Agriculture which will in term will reduce the scarcity of food

SECONDED.

post=104336912:

SECONDED.

Your master is trying

That's what's up...


No b only government go dey bring money

okefranci:
The issue of COVID-19 has advert event on our economy, mostly all sectors have been maimed and deteriorating but all in all there should be a diversification and shift from focusing oil to others like Agriculture which will in term will reduce the scarcity of food

They have been focusing on Agriculture for years now while inflation is at an all time high on same Agriculture..

Ok