Vice-President Kashim Shettima has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s harsh policy decisions are being implemented in the best interest of Nigerians.

Mr Shettima said this while hosting executives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The NACCIMA delegation was led by its national president, Jani Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit to the vice president.

Highlighting the administration’s focus on economic revitalisation, Mr Shettima stated that the government had created an enabling environment for serious business operations.

He cited major policy steps, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, the realignment of the multiple exchange rate system, and ongoing tax reforms.

“I can assure you that Nigeria is ready for business, and you are the drivers of change. I plead guilty to romancing with the business community, the manufacturing and productive sectors. This is how great nations are built; this is how Korea became what it is,” the vice-president said.

Mr Shettima stressed that Mr Tinubu remained committed to the reforms, despite resistance from entrenched interests, describing them as necessary actions taken for the greater good of Nigerians.

“The current administration is your own because the president speaks your language, the language of commerce. He grew up in that ecosystem, understands how businesses are run, and was the financial controller at Mobil,” Mr Shettima said.

He applauded the president’s courage in removing the fuel subsidy, which he described as a long-standing burden on the nation.

“While the fuel subsidy had been an albatross around the neck of successive administrations, he had the courage and conviction to remove it. The oil cabal fought back, but he refused to budge. He stood his ground because he acted in the best interest of Nigerians,” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Ibrahim noted that he was elected NACCIMA president and chairman of the Organised Private Sector (a month ago during the association’s 65th annual general meeting held in Ilorin.

He commended Mr Shettima’s leadership as chairman of key national economic bodies, including the National Economic Council, the National Council on Privatisation, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, and the MSME councils.

“National prosperity is anchored on strong collaboration between government and the private sector. We recognise the private sector as the engine of growth while the government sets the enabling framework,” Mr Ibrahim said.

He called for regular engagement between the organised private sector and the vice president’s office, proposing biannual consultative sessions.

Mr Ibrahim also requested that representatives from the private sector be included in key government councils and technical bodies, particularly those dealing with trade, industry, privatisation, and small and medium enterprises. 

(NAN)