The Chief Executive Officer, Envision Management Solutions Ltd., Mr Ibraheem Haruna, has called for collective action and deeper collaboration among all tiers of government and key stakeholders to rejuvenate the Nigerian economy and position the country for sustainable growth.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in Voice of Nigeria’s studio, Mr Haruna emphasized that Nigeria’s economic recovery and long-term development can no longer rest solely on federal initiatives.
He noted that while the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made “bold and commendable” steps, such as subsidy removal, student loans, and tax reforms, state and local governments must also rise to the occasion.
“The President is doing his own part, but it’s not enough for development to come from just the top. States must complement federal efforts, especially as their revenues have increased by over 200%.
Local governments must also take charge of grassroots development. This is how functional economies work across the world,” Mr Haruna stated.
Addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, Mr Haruna reiterated the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships (PPP) to unlock investment in critical sectors, such as roads, rail, power, and telecommunications.
Citing the Lekki Deep Sea Port and ongoing efforts in Cross River State as examples, he praised the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for reducing approval timelines, making Nigeria a more attractive destination for investors.
“PPP is the way forward. The Nigerian Pension Fund, for instance, is planning to invest over $14.58 billion in infrastructure. If channeled properly, this could transform the nation,” he said.
He also highlighted that creating an enabling environment for investment will increase trust in Nigeria’s economy, encouraging both local and foreign investors to bring in capital and innovation.
Mr Haruna, who has lived and worked in Canada for over two decades, recently returned to Nigeria with a mission: to help bridge the knowledge and development gap through his organization’s partnership with the National Board for Technology Innovation (NBTI).
Through Envision Management Solutions Ltd., he plans to train and mentor Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly startups, on strategic management, financial prudence, and sustainable business growth.
“It’s not just about funding. We’re bringing global best practices, mentorship, and support systems to ensure these businesses don’t collapse after two or three years.
We want to reverse the trend noted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the National Bureau of Statistics, where many SMEs fail to scale or survive,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr Haruna expressed strong optimism about Nigeria’s direction under the current administration and warned that national transformation requires a collective mindset shift.
“We must believe in Nigeria. Everyone has a role to play— citizens, communities, local leaders, and the private sector. If we all act with discipline, transparency, and commitment, Nigeria will rise again,” he concluded.
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