Introduction
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group is a nonprofit, nonpartisan and private-sector-led think tank that promotes economic policy reform, sustainable development and public-private dialogue in Nigeria.
Known as NESG, the organization works with government institutions, businesses, researchers, civil society organizations and development partners to help build an open, inclusive, competitive and sustainable Nigerian economy.
History and Background
The origins of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group date to 1993, when private-sector leaders representing important economic sectors established the Nigerian Economic Summit.
The Summit was created as a platform where business leaders and senior government officials could discuss Nigeria’s economic challenges and identify practical reforms.
In 1996, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group was formally incorporated as a nonprofit, nonpartisan private-sector organization. Its original mandate was to promote the transformation of Nigeria from a closed economy into an open, private-sector-led and globally competitive economy.
Since its establishment, NESG has developed research publications, conferences, policy dialogues, seminars, workshops and intervention projects supporting economic and social reforms.
The organization has also established working relationships with the Government of Nigeria, the National Assembly, private-sector institutions, development partners, researchers and civil society organizations.
Mission and Purpose
NESG’s mission is to promote and champion the reform of the Nigerian economy into an open, inclusive, sustainable and globally competitive economy.
Its vision is to become Africa’s leading private-sector think tank committed to developing a modern, competitive and inclusive Nigerian economy.
The organization’s work is guided by the following principles:
- Commitment to a competitive economy.
- Encouragement of private-sector investment.
- Creation of an enabling business environment.
- Democratic governance in the national interest.
- Commitment to the rule of law.
- Establishment of an economic foundation for sustainable development.
NESG performs four principal strategic roles.
Dialogue Partner
The organization facilitates discussions between government, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders.
These engagements allow decision-makers to identify economic challenges, exchange evidence and develop shared policy solutions.
Connector
NESG connects government institutions, businesses, researchers, investors and civil society organizations through high-level engagement and institutional networking.
Accountability Partner
The organization uses research, policy papers, economic reports, scorecards and other evidence to assess policy performance and encourage accountability.
Intervener
NESG supports the implementation of reforms through technical assistance, institutional partnerships, capacity building, human resources and targeted financing.
Governance and Structure
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
According to the organization’s current leadership information:
- Olaniyi Yusuf serves as Chairman.
- Omoboyede Olusanya serves as First Vice Chairman.
- Amina Maina serves as Second Vice Chairman.
- Dr. Tayo Aduloju serves as Chief Executive Officer.
The Board provides strategic oversight, approves institutional priorities and ensures that the organization continues to operate according to its nonprofit and nonpartisan mandate.
At its 2025 Annual General Meeting, NESG reported that its Board consisted of 23 professionals from diverse sectors. The meeting also reviewed and adopted the organization’s financial statements.
The chief executive officer and management team oversee the organization’s daily operations, research, programmes, partnerships, fundraising and public engagement.
NESG’s wider institutional structure includes:
- Board of Directors.
- Executive management.
- Research and policy teams.
- External resources and partnerships functions.
- Policy Commissions.
- Communities of Practice.
- Business councils.
- Expert forums.
- Special task forces.
- Fellowship programmes.
- Volunteers and subject specialists.
Funding and Grants
NESG finances its research, advocacy and reform programmes through membership contributions, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, donations and grants from development partners.
Its main funding mechanisms include:
- Corporate membership fees.
- Corporate Club contributions.
- Sponsorship of the Nigerian Economic Summit.
- Donations from individuals and organizations.
- Development-partner grants.
- Institutional partnerships.
- Project-specific funding.
- Research and technical-assistance agreements.
The External Resource Department manages relationships with donors and development partners and mobilizes resources for projects supporting economic-policy change.
Membership Funding
Companies and other institutions can join NESG through different membership categories.
Membership allows organizations to participate in policy discussions, access research, join Policy Commissions and contribute to national economic reform.
NESG’s published membership structure includes a Corporate Elite Club and other corporate membership options. Benefits vary according to the membership category and may include:
- Participation in Policy Commissions.
- Access to economic research and publications.
- Invitations to policy dialogues and roundtables.
- Business-to-business and business-to-government networking.
- Opportunities to support fellowship programmes.
- Representation in specialized reform initiatives.
- Visibility at NESG platforms and events.
Donor-Funded Projects
NESG receives grants from development institutions to implement programmes related to economic reform and inclusive development.
One listed initiative is the Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Transformation Project, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The project was awarded in 2022 and focuses on Nigeria’s digital economy.
Unlike a conventional grant-making foundation, NESG primarily receives and implements grants rather than operating a permanent open grant programme for external nonprofit organizations.
Funding or fellowship opportunities may occasionally be offered through specific NESG programmes, centres or partnerships.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Nigerian Economic Summit
The annual Nigerian Economic Summit is NESG’s flagship public-private dialogue platform.
It brings together:
- Government officials.
- Business leaders.
- Researchers.
- Development partners.
- Civil society representatives.
- International organizations.
- Investors and entrepreneurs.
Participants examine Nigeria’s economic conditions, identify reform priorities and develop recommendations for government and the private sector.
Summit discussions have addressed macroeconomic stability, fiscal policy, trade, agriculture, employment, infrastructure, education, health, governance, energy, technology and social development.
Policy Commissions
The NESG Policy Commissions are working groups made up of public and private-sector experts.
They meet regularly to develop reform priorities, undertake evidence-based advocacy and accelerate implementation of recommendations from the Nigerian Economic Summit.
Their activities include:
- Economic and sector research.
- Policy dialogues.
- Stakeholder workshops.
- Position papers.
- Reform proposals.
- Engagement with government agencies.
- Monitoring policy implementation.
The Policy Commission structure was streamlined from 12 commissions to six in 2025 to improve efficiency and policy impact.
Communities of Practice
NESG established Communities of Practice to increase the participation of groups that may be underrepresented in formal economic-policy discussions.
These platforms have covered:
- Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Youth.
- Gender-related concerns.
The communities facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building and policy advocacy based on their respective priorities.
National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable
The National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable is a collaboration involving NESG, the National Assembly and the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law.
Known as NASSBER, the initiative reviews laws affecting businesses, investment, employment and economic competitiveness.
Its objective is to improve Nigeria’s legislative environment and support laws that encourage private-sector development.
Policy Innovation Centre
The Policy Innovation Centre is an NESG institution that applies behavioural insights, design thinking and evidence-based methods to public policy and social-development programmes.
Its work includes:
- Behavioural research.
- Policy experimentation.
- Programme design.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Evidence translation.
- Government advisory support.
- Social-impact research.
The Centre describes itself as Africa’s first national-level behavioural initiative.
Ernest Shonekan Centre
The Ernest Shonekan Centre for Legislative Reforms and Economic Development promotes leadership, accountability, integrity and institutional reform.
Its activities include research, advocacy, training and programmes designed to strengthen public and private-sector leadership.
Non-Residential Fellowship Programme
The NESG Non-Residential Fellowship Programme connects experienced researchers from academia, research institutions and the private sector with public-policy development.
The programme strengthens the connection between socioeconomic research and policymaking.
Participants produce policy-relevant research, briefs and advocacy outputs.
Its research areas have included:
- Human-capital development.
- Health investment.
- Education and skills.
- Macroeconomic stability.
- Labour-force participation.
- Livelihoods.
- Agriculture and food systems.
- Fiscal policy.
- Trade and international cooperation.
- Energy transition.
- Digital infrastructure.
The third cohort is structured as a 24-month programme requiring an average commitment of five to eight hours per week.
NESG Academy
The NESG Academy supports capacity building, leadership development and knowledge sharing.
It provides learning opportunities connected to economics, public policy, governance, leadership and national development.
Debt Management Roundtable West Africa
The Debt Management Roundtable West Africa provides research and policy recommendations on public debt management and sustainability.
The platform examines West African debt issues, with Nigeria serving as an important case study.
UN Global Compact Network Nigeria
The UN Global Compact Network Nigeria was established during the Nigerian Economic Summit in 2007.
It promotes the UN Global Compact’s principles covering:
- Human rights.
- Labour standards.
- Environmental responsibility.
- Anti-corruption.
It also encourages Nigerian businesses to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Business Councils and Expert Platforms
NESG operates specialized platforms addressing major economic priorities.
These include:
- CEO Business Council on Food Security.
- Digital Economy Business Council.
- Special Task Force on Climate Action Agenda and Implementation.
- Financial Architecture Expert Forum.
- Human and Economic Security Roundtable.
These platforms bring together experts and decision-makers to develop sector-specific recommendations and support implementation.
Research and Economic Intelligence
Research is central to NESG’s work.
The organization publishes:
- Annual macroeconomic outlooks.
- Private-sector outlooks.
- Policy briefs.
- Sector reports.
- Economic scorecards.
- Position papers.
- Summit reports.
- Macroeconomic Condition Index reports.
- Research by Non-Residential Fellows.
These publications provide businesses, government institutions, researchers and development organizations with evidence about Nigeria’s economic conditions and reform priorities.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
NESG has played a prominent role in public-private discussions surrounding economic reforms in Nigeria.
The organization identifies reforms in telecommunications, banking, maritime services, ports, energy and support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises among the areas influenced by the Nigerian Economic Summit process.
Examples of its impact include:
- Sustaining structured dialogue between government and the private sector.
- Developing policy recommendations for economic reform.
- Supporting improvements to business-related legislation.
- Contributing to telecommunications-sector reform discussions.
- Supporting banking and financial-sector reform.
- Promoting improvements in maritime services and seaports.
- Strengthening policy attention to MSMEs.
- Advancing evidence-based public policymaking.
- Training researchers and policy professionals.
- Encouraging youth participation in policy discussions.
- Promoting sustainable digital transformation.
- Supporting debt-sustainability research.
- Developing policy ideas for food security and agriculture.
NESG’s 2025 performance reporting indicated growth in:
- Corporate membership.
- Corporate Club participation.
- Volunteer and expert engagement.
- Research outputs.
- Direct engagement with policy decision-makers.
- Downloads of NESG research.
- Stakeholder satisfaction.
- Website participation.
The organization’s Policy Commissions and Communities of Practice mobilize experts who volunteer their knowledge to advance reforms in different sectors.
The Non-Residential Fellowship Programme has also produced research on exchange-rate policy, fiscal discipline, energy transition, startup legislation, monetary and fiscal coordination, trade and Nigeria’s engagement with international economic groups.
Conclusion
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group is one of Nigeria’s most prominent private-sector-led economic policy institutions.
Since its establishment in 1996, NESG has provided research, public-private dialogue, policy advocacy and targeted interventions supporting Nigeria’s transition toward a competitive, inclusive and sustainable economy.
Its Nigerian Economic Summit, Policy Commissions, research programmes, fellowship initiatives and specialized centres connect government, businesses, researchers and civil society around national development priorities.
For more information, visit here.
