By Ingram Osigwe
Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, CFA on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 met with Southeast business entrepreneurs, professionals, captains of industry and merchants at the maiden Government-Private Sector Dialogue Series (GPS) for the Southeast. The event held at Radisson Blu, Isaac John Street, Ikeja Lagos. The theme of the Dialogue was Finance and SME Growth Round table.
The GPS roundtable aimed to bring together stakeholders from both the federal and Lagos state government alongside community representatives to discuss concerns, identify bottlenecks and agree practical next steps on access to finance and enterprise.
The event also featured a grand reception in honour of the Minister by the Southeast business community in Lagos.
Earlier, as part of her high- impact engagements in Lagos, Dr. Uzoka- Anite had upon arrival, paid a courtesy visit to the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Speaking at the GPS, the Minister extolled the entrepreneurial and can-do-spirit of the Igbo and assured that the President Bola Tinubu administration was committed to ensuring the economic growth of the South east.
Her words: “The Igbo spirit of enterprise is legendary. From Onitsha and Aba to Alaba and Balogun, your story is the story of Nigeria’s economic dynamism- built on resilience, hard work, and faith. Yet, today’s conversation asks us to look beyond survival toward influence, strategy and alignment”
Urging the South east business chiefs to be abreast of government business policies, the Minister said: “When business leaders ignore policy, others write the rules that shape their profit, logistics, taxes and access to opportunity. This platform is designed to change that- to bring government closer to the people, to listen, and to act”.
According to her, the Tinubu administration was committed to partnership with the private sector, pointing out that the renewed hope agenda of the administration was not just a policy but social contract to rebuild the Nigerian economy.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite explained that the various economic reforms of the federal government were groundwork for stability and inclusive economic growth.
The Minister assured the business leaders that “the federal government values the contribution of the South east entrepreneurs and remains committed in positioning the region as a hub of manufacturing, trade, and export”.
In his submission, the substantive Minister for Finance, Wale Edun who made a surprise and brief appearance at the GPS long after the event had gone underway reiterated the federal government’s efforts to pull the economy from the doldrums. He assured the South east businessmen of federal government’s support at all times.
In their various contributions the South east business leaders lamented unfavourable government policies targeted at them including high cost of clearing of containers in the Nigerian ports as against lower rates in neighboring countries, unwarranted seizures of already cleared goods by the Federal Operation Units (FOU) of Customs, undue business advantages given to Chinese businessmen in Nigeria. excessive and unnecessary Customs and police checkpoints along Lagos-Ore-Benin-Asaba expressway where Igbo businessmen moving their containers to the South east are mindlessly extorted among other policies they say adversely affect their businesses.
Lady (Dr.) Adaora. O Chukwudozie, Chairman Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, South East Zone and Chairman keystone bank Plc , in her contribution expressed delight that “the GPS and reception afforded Southeast businessmen in Lagos the opportunity to celebrate their daughter and sister, fellowship with her in her moment of national assignment and rob minds with her on issues bordering on Southeast businesses and economic growth”
The Keystone Chairman and Coordinator of the three-part event however, urged the federal government to remove all bottlenecks that hamper manufacturing and economic growth of the Southeast.
Various federal government agencies and parastatals that made presentations at the GPS include NAFDAC, FIRS, Bank of Industry, NEXIM, NOTAP, SEC, NEPC, Customs, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, among others.
Some of notable South east industrialists and businessmen who graced the GPS include Dr Sir Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Chairman Ekulo Group, Dr Alexander Chika Okafor, Chiarman, Chicason group, Dr Chidi Anyaegbu, Chairman Chisco group, Elder Eme and Lady Ngozi Ekeoma of Nepal oil & Gas, former Senator Rep Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Senator Mike Ajaegbo, Chairman Chris Nak Group, Dr Chris Igwe, Chairman BBA Trade Fair, Mr Oscar Odogwu, Chairman Alaba international Market, Chief Camilus Amajuoyi, Pharm Sam Ubachukwu, Chairman; Megapharm Nig Ltd, Dr Dona Okonkwo, Chairman Tetrazini Group; Senior Partner, Grand Rising Associates Ltd, Mr Heavens Chidi Agwunobi.
Also in attendance were Dr Nwadi Iheakanwa, Dr Chizo Malize, MD FITC; Uju Ifejika, Chairman Britannia U Energy, CEO, Amcolin Ventures, Chief Amaechi Obodo, Hon. Ngozi Emechebe, Chairman ASPAMDA, Evangalist Paul Onuorah, Publisher of Yes Magazine; Mr Azuh Arinze among others.
– Osigwe, a strategic Communications and Public engagement expert, is the MD of Fullpage Communications Ltd. He lives in Lagos
