The events arm of the foremost International news magazine, The Economist, has concluded plans to hold the 11th edition of the annual Nigeria Summit.

Slated for Monday, 7 March and Tuesday 8 March, 2016 at InterContinental Hotel, Lagos, the 2016 Nigeria Summit will bring key government ministry officials, industry and business leaders as well as representatives of Nigerian civil society; together with international investors, economists and academics to discuss and debate Nigeria’s economic direction. Nigeria’s foremost knowledge economy magazine, Political Economist, is a media partner for the event which primed to plot a roadmap for the revival and rebound of the nation’s political economy.

Themed, “The Dawn of A New Day?”, the summit will examine and review the various opportunities and challenges that Nigeria is facing in view of her first democratic power transfer and the implications of the global macro-economic forces which are being shaped by the dramatic fall in oil prices, the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.

In view of this, The Economist Events has lined up an array of high net-worth personalities in government and commerce from across the globe as speakers. They include: HE Prof Yemi Osinbajo, vice-president, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive officer, Dangote Group and Chairman Dangote Foundation; Danladi Verheijen, chief executive officer and managing director, Verod; Herbert Wigwe, chief executive officer, Access Bank; HE Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria.

Other speakers and panelists are Bob Diamond, founder and chief executive officer, Atlas Merchant Capital; HE Alhaji Kashim Shettina, Governor, Borno State, Nigeria; Franklin Cudjoe, founding president and chief executive officer, IMANI; Philip Lindop, head of Africa Banking, Barclays Africa Group, Fola Laoye, chairman, Hygeia Group.

In addition, HE Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al Makura, Governor, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; HE Chief Willie Obiano, Governor, Anambra State, Nigeria, Onno Schellekens, chief executive officer, Pharm Access Group; Issam Darwish, executive vice-chairman & chief executive officer, IHS; Adebola Williams, co-founder, RED; and Chief Eric Umeofia (Ikuku Oma, Amichi), president and chief executive officer, Erisco Foods Limited are also billed to speak at the summit.

Now in its 11th year, the Nigeria Summit is part of The Economist’s successful high-growth markets series of events and has become one of the leading events in Africa where business, government and ideas people meet.

Chaired by senior editors from The Economist, Jonathan Rosenthal, Africa editor and Edward Carr, deputy editor, the summit will explore the economic and social progress made to date and take an in-depth look at what the future will hold for Africa’s biggest economy

“This year’s Nigeria Summit will bring together more than 350 participants drawn from different walks of life including Nigeria’s public and private sectors, international business players and investors for a discussion on what the future holds for Nigeria” Jonathan Rosenthal, Africa editor at The Economist commented.

Part of the conversation for this year will reflect on the positive change that has been witnessed in governance and in the socio-economic life of the people over the past nine months of President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership. Discussion will also be on how economic growth can improve security; strategies for placing economic growth at the heart of Nigeria’s effort to unite the country; and, how Nigeria can achieve economic diversification away from oil, overcome challenges and plug the holes in public finances (reduce official corruption), create jobs for its youth, reduce poverty and improve the purchasing power of the citizens.

Being at the heart of the continent’s economic renaissance, speakers will also be expected to review Nigeria’s role on the African continent as well as on a global stage.

Author: Theresa Igata, Correspondent