The Federal Government (FG) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening international collaboration, improving investment facilitation, and promoting governance transparency as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s global standing.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Udumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in a goodwill message delivered at a webinar hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc on Tuesday.
The webinar, themed “Digital Fiscal Transparency: Unlocking Sub-national Opportunities for International Partners,” highlighted the importance of transparency and collaboration in driving economic growth.
Udumegwu-Ojukwu, who was represented by Mr Abdulqadir Olanrewaju of the ministry’s Department of Economic, Trade and Investment, said the government’s initiatives align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at attracting foreign investment and improving accountability in the public sector.
She noted that Nigeria continues to engage actively with global and regional organisations such as the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS to promote peace, trade, and development.
According to her, Nigeria’s participation in the World Trade Organization and its commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area are geared towards aligning the country’s trade policies with global standards and boosting intra-African trade.
On investment facilitation, the minister highlighted reforms by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, which she said have simplified business registration, licensing, and regulatory processes.
She added that public-private partnerships in infrastructure and bilateral investment treaties are helping to protect foreign investments, while ongoing reforms have improved digitisation of government services and strengthened tax and regulatory frameworks.
Speaking on governance transparency, Udumegwu-Ojukwu said the government has enhanced accountability through policy reforms and support for anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
She also noted that initiatives such as the Treasury Single Account have improved access to financial data and strengthened transparency in public finance management.
In her remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, called for stronger collaboration among governments, financial institutions, and international partners to deepen fiscal transparency at the sub-national level.
She emphasised that building trust through secure, technology-driven financial systems is critical to attracting both domestic and foreign investments, noting that the bank supports public sector financing through digital platforms that enhance transparency and streamline collections.
Delivering a keynote address, Mr Akpotor Justice of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment stressed that effective sub-national trade policies are essential for inclusive growth and investment.
He explained that investors are influenced by conditions at the state and local levels, including infrastructure, regulatory efficiency, and market viability.
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Justice identified ease of doing business reforms, infrastructure development, policy consistency, and leveraging sectoral advantages as key drivers of sub-national growth, citing Kaduna State as an example where reforms have improved competitiveness.
He also underscored the need to remove internal trade barriers, improve logistics systems, and support small and medium enterprises with finance and market access.
According to him, strengthening sub-national economies will enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and position states as engines of sustainable growth.
