By Becky Usman

The Federal Government of Nigeria underscored the importance of non-state actors collaborating with the government in national and economic development, acknowledging its struggle with significant challenges and revenue deficits that have forced it to prioritize the payment of salaries.

During the 30th Annual Development Forum organized by Life Above Poverty Alleviation (LAPO) in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and National Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, represented by Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, Director of International Cooperation, conveyed this message. The event’s theme was “The role of non-state actors in national development: A case study of LAPO.”

Prominent figures such as Dr. Sarah Alade, a former acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Felix Oriakhi, a political scientist and lecturer at the Federal University, Otuoke, and Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, Founder/CEO of LAPO Group, were in attendance.

Ehigiamusoe emphasized the substantial contributions of LAPO and its affiliated institutions to national development, highlighting LAPO Microfinance Bank’s contribution of over N1.2 trillion to female micro and small business owners.

The minister expressed a preference for the term “Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)” over “non-state actors” to avoid potential associations with guerrilla or terrorist groups. He stressed the critical role of NGOs in addressing unmet needs in areas such as healthcare, the environment, the economy, public policy, empowerment, and support for vulnerable citizens, emphasizing the importance of alignment with the national development plan.

He further noted the government’s immense challenges, including revenue deficits, financial constraints, slow economic growth, rapid population growth, rising unemployment, and high inflation. Acknowledging the limitations the government faces, he urged NGOs to collaborate in addressing the gaps that the government cannot cover.

Dr. Sarah Alade, who also served as Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Finance and Economy, emphasized the necessity of government collaboration with non-state actors to achieve economic development and the success of social investment programs. She highlighted the substantial financial commitment required for the National Development Plan (2021-2025), with the private sector contributing approximately 86% of the total required amount.

Alade stressed that non-state actors, including LAPO, would play pivotal roles in shaping Nigeria’s economic destiny and addressing challenges in the country’s supply chain operation, particularly in the context of food and energy imports. She called for the involvement of non-state actors in all aspects of national life to promote inclusive growth and address social challenges.

Speakers at the event unanimously called for a partnership between the government and non-state actors in socioeconomic development to achieve the government’s goal of lifting 133 million people out of poverty. They emphasized the need for non-state actors to provide ideas and support to the government throughout the conceptualization, execution, and implementation of policies to ensure success.