In a move to strengthen Nigeria’s economic growth, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met with Finance Minister Wale Edun in Abuja on Thursday to discuss trade-driven development, investment, and inclusive economic expansion.
According to a statement by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Edun pointed to Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic improvements—including a stronger naira, declining inflation, and credit rating upgrades by Fitch and Moody’s—as key indicators for sustainable growth.
The minister outlined a strategic plan focused on export diversification, private-sector investment, and human capital development, targeting a 7% GDP growth rate.
Okonjo-Iweala praised these reforms, emphasizing their potential to boost investor confidence and unlock opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She urged Nigeria to prioritize job creation, export expansion, and enhanced social safety nets while addressing energy challenges to ensure economic progress benefits citizens.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of integrating Nigeria into global value chains, leveraging digital trade, and empowering the private sector to drive competitiveness and prosperity.
The meeting underscores a collaborative effort to position Nigeria for a more robust and inclusive economic future.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
