inserting themselves into the
production process.
This lack of focus leads to allegations of
corruption and inefficiency on the part
of government agencies among other
things – an accusation that has been
labeled at various government agencies
leading to calls for restructuring or
total scrapping of such agencies.
Government and its agencies must be
prepared to gradually shift their role
back to being the regulator.
Government agencies must be able to
hold the private sector accountable but
allow it the freedom and flexibility to
operate effectively.
Organized Private
Sector needs to define
its role
The organized private sector has
steadily become more polarized in
recent years, struggling to isolate itself
from the politics of the land.
A situation where the organized private
sector is unable to speak with one clear
voice to the government of the day
does not bode well for small and
medium sized businesses in Nigeria.
Whereas the government sets policies,
it is the private sector that is tasked
with implementing these policies (for
better or for worse) and the private
sector will bear the brunt of these
policies. An organized private sector
that is unable to hold government to
account, unable to rally the nation‘s
entrepreneurs to force government
policy makers to adopt meaningful
policies, is not in a position to
contribute effectively to reducing
poverty and unemployment in Nigeria.
Strengthening the organized private
sector is necessary for Nigeria‘s rapid
economic development. The OPS
should lead the way in stimulating
innovation, leveraging on research
conducted in the nation‘s universities
and research institutes around the
world. This means increased linkages
between the academic sector and the
private sector; it means positioning the
OPS to be able to truly influence
policy-making in Nigeria. Policies are
easier implemented when every
relevant stakeholder ―owns‖ the policy.
Without a strong private sector holding
government to account and rallying its
troops to influence and drive policy
implementation, the idea of improving
Nigeria‘s non-oil exports will remain a
pipe-dream.