At the "Nordic-Nigeria Connect event themed 'Forging Partnerships for Sustainable Impact', which took place at the Continental Hotel in Lagos, Enugu State Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai challenged attendees to move beyond rhetoric.
He called for actionable strategies and partnerships that deliver measurable development for the entire country, not just for the powerhouse of Lagos, but for all of Nigeria.
From Talk To Tangible Reform – Enugu's Deputy Governor Lays Down A Challenge
Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai of Enugu State, speaking at the Nordic-Nigeria Connect event, delivered a direct message:
"Let's discuss the concrete issues that will lead to deliverable, measurable achievements, so that we don't spend resources, time and energy going back to the old ways."
Expressing both admiration and ambition, he urged a break from endless conferences toward a culture of doing, not talks, as it seems to be the case across Nigeria's regions.
Agriculture And Technology As Levers For Broad-Based Prosperity
Ossai highlighted that while Lagos stands as an economic giant, Nigeria's full growth relies on unleashing the agricultural and technological potential of all regions.
"If the other parts of Nigeria are left behind, the economy will not grow at the geometric speed that we expect," he explained.
Enugu's priority: shift from supporting smallholder farmers alone to enabling cooperatives, commercial farming, and robust value chains for local and export markets.
| Sector | Traditional Strategy | Recommended Solution | Expected Outcome |
| Agriculture | Small inputs, fragmented support | Scale to commercial, outgrower, export-focused | Food security, forex gains |
| Tech | Local talent overlooked | Leverage 22 tertiary institutions for research and tech clusters | Innovation, youth jobs |
Enugu's educational ecosystem, with 22 tertiary institutions in one urban area, presents unique opportunities to build research and tech clusters and retain Nigeria's brightest talent.
Inclusive Growth, Export Ambitions, And Institutional Sustainability
The Deputy Governor's vision is clear: develop agricultural exporting power, reinforce food security, and make Enugu a magnet for national and international collaboration.
He called for better logistics, modern processing methods, and assistance in breaking international market entry barriers.
"We should be able to export what we produce, because we have arable land across this country," he said, urging collaborative monitoring and capacity building for both government initiatives and private outgrower networks.
| Goal | Collaboration Needed | Sustainable Outcome |
| Export growth | Government, logistics, trade | Foreign revenue for rural growth |
| Food security | Farmers, processors | Resilient domestic supply |
| Innovation | Educators, tech companies | Youth jobs, community development |
Concrete Steps – From Stakeholder Dialogue To Measurable Delivery
Ossai called on the tech, agriculture, and education sectors to partner in transforming policies into real impact: "Let this conference interrogate our approach and see what we can do to make agriculture a means to offer economic value first for us to be able to feed ourselves and export food."
The path forward requires investment in transport and communications infrastructure, regulatory modernisation, and building commercial partnerships that link Enugu and all regions into Africa's new agricultural and tech supply chains.
Infographic: Roadmap to Inclusive Growth for Enugu and Nigeria
| Lever/Action | Stakeholder | Desired Impact |
| Commercial Agri Partnerships | Farmers, investors | Market expansion, jobs |
| Tech Talent Clusters | Universities, startups | Digital innovation, exports |
| Regulatory Modernization | Government, private sector | Ease of doing business |
| Export Facilitation | Trade & logistics firms | Access to global markets |
Path Forward – Turning Vision into Value
Enugu's Deputy Governor is showcasing what transformative governance looks like. It is rooted in education, collaboration, and practical delivery that bridges agriculture and technology. This model connects classrooms to farms, innovation labs to local markets, and policy to measurable outcomes.
If scaled nationally, this results-driven approach could expand exports, deepen productivity, and redefine inclusive growth across Nigeria's economy.
