The WIMB Africa Business Roundtable, themed "Politics as a Nation-Building Catalyst," recently convened at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. Stakeholders from various sectors, including business, media, creative, engineering, legal, and politics, gathered to discuss pressing economic and national issues. They emphasized the need for policies that translate into measurable improvements in citizens' daily lives. The roundtable, organized by the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WIMB Africa), aimed to provide a platform for sector-focused dialogue and exploration of practical solutions.
Discussions at the roundtable highlighted the challenges of rising transportation costs, inadequate infrastructure, and limited economic opportunities for women and young people. Stakeholders stressed that sustainable national development requires more than government action, emphasizing the need for effective institutions, policy implementation, and an informed citizenry capable of holding public officials accountable. They also underscored the importance of citizen oversight and public accountability, urging Nigerians to take greater interest in government budgets, public expenditure, and projects earmarked for their communities.
Former Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe, emphasized that infrastructure investments would have limited impact without policies and institutions capable of sustaining them. He identified roads, electricity, water, and broadband as critical infrastructure, but stressed that their effectiveness depended on the policy framework governing their development, maintenance, and use. Omokungbe called for stronger institutions, clear standards, and effective implementation to ensure that infrastructure investments yield desired outcomes.
Keynote speaker, Mayor Akinpelu, discussed the potential of policy reforms to promote economic stability and create a more predictable environment for businesses to plan and invest. He noted that economic reforms could affect different segments of society differently and urged policymakers to introduce targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, particularly rural women. Akinpelu also encouraged WIMB Africa to promote cooperative societies among women, arguing that collective economic structures could improve access to resources and reduce the pressure of individual survival.
Veteran journalist and media career development specialist, Lekan Otufodunrin, examined the effects of major government policies on households and businesses, citing the removal of fuel subsidy as an example of a decision with wide-ranging economic consequences. He noted that the policy had significantly affected transportation costs, with the impact extending to other areas of economic activity. Otufodunrin's remarks underscored the need for policymakers to consider the potential consequences of their decisions on citizens' lives.
The roundtable also featured contributions from various stakeholders, including social-impact artist and climate-justice advocate, Ms. Anjolaoluwa Olanrewaju. She urged young Nigerians to become better informed and more actively engaged in national affairs, emphasizing that politics is not solely the responsibility of government or older generations. Olanrewaju's remarks reflected the roundtable's broader goal of promoting community empowerment and nation building across Africa.
WIMB Africa Founder, Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, highlighted the organization's commitment to community empowerment and nation building. She explained that the decision to focus on politics was deliberate, as political decisions have direct implications for governance, development, and citizens' everyday experiences. The monthly Business Roundtable, now in its fifth year, brings together stakeholders from different sectors to examine pressing national issues and explore practical solutions to development challenges.
Key points
- Stakeholders at the WIMB Africa Roundtable called for policies that translate into measurable improvements in citizens' daily lives.
- The roundtable emphasized the need for effective institutions, policy implementation, and an informed citizenry capable of holding public officials accountable.
- Discussions highlighted the challenges of rising transportation costs, inadequate infrastructure, and limited economic opportunities for women and young people.
