Collaboration among states critical to leapfrogging Nigeria’s economy, say Osinbajo, others

For the economic potentials of states to be maximised and for Nigeria to leapfrog its economy, states within Nigeria must collaborate.This was the submission of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors of Lagos and Kano, Akinwunmi Ambode and Abdullahi Ganduje, President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 at the first Lagos-Kano economic and investment summit held yesterday in Lagos.

At the summit with the theme: ‘States partnership as a tool for sustainable economic development,’ Osinbajo noted that development can only happen in an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. He further stated that any strategic planning in Nigeria targeted at economic development must take the Lagos and Kano routes and cities seriously.

This, to him, is why the initiators of the Lagos-Kano economic and investment summit must be commended. According to him, the success of the partnership will positively impact the country.The vice president described the Lagos-Kano rail line as one of the smartest decision of the British during the colonial era.

For the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, states are not collaborating enough, which is negatively affecting the country’s economic drive.He maintained that the collaboration between states should not just be for those who share borders. Dangote appealed to state governors to be creative and open to ideas.The Emir of Kano said the Federal Government should not be left to shoulder the diversification of the country’s economy alone.

He said the states should work together assiduously towards diversification of the country’s economy through partnership. Governor Ambode stated that leaders must demonstrate the will to make things work especially with support from the Federal Government. According to him, states need to contribute to national economy revival and partnership between states would aid that process.

Ambode, who was excited about the new partnership between Lagos and Kano, said that through the partnership, the two states hope to produce 80 per cent of Nigeria’s agro-allied inputs.Ambode also believed that the partnership will send a positive signal to other state governments about the need to collaborate. He however argued that in building the partnership, the parties must think without the box and not just outside the box to do things differently.

Governor Ganduje stated that partnership among states is one good tool to mitigate against global uncertainties.He was optimistic that the partnership will generate perspective of well informed agenda for the economies of the two states.