By Emeka Anaeto, Business Editor

Inflationary pressures coupled with foreign exchange volatility, and high interest rates have continued to strain businesses and households in Nigeria.

Stating these at the backdrop of the upcoming Vanguard Economic Discourse, Dr. Femi Egbesola, President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), added that amongst the key macroeconomic headwinds are insecurity, policy inconsistencies and infrastructure deficits which he said have further dampen investor confidence.

The Vanguard Newspaper’s flagship public policy eventthemed, “Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2025: Hardship and Pathways to Sustainable Recovery”, is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 9th of April at Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos starting by 9am.

Dr. Egbesola who has been slated among the erudite faculties at the Vanguard Economic Discourse, however, noted that some positive signals from reforms offer some hopes for recovery.

His words: “Persistent inflation, forex volatility, and high interest rates continue to strain businesses and households. Insecurity, policy inconsistencies and infrastructure deficits further dampen investor confidence.

“Government reforms, increased local production, increase in exports and rising digital entrepreneurship offer hope for economic resilience. “With strategic policies and private-sector collaboration, Nigeria can navigate challenges toward sustainable growth.”

Meanwhile, former Statistician General of the Federation/ Director General of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Dr Yemi Kale, has also indicated that there are some hopes amidst challenges in the outlook for Nigeria’s economy in 2025.

Dr. Kale who is currently the Group Chief Economist/ Managing Director, Research & International Cooperation, Africa Export-Import Bank, Cairo, is headlining the event as the Keynote Speaker for the 2025 edition of the Vanguard Economic Discourse.

Other confirmed facilitators include Dr. Tayo Aduloju who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG).

Also on the panel session are Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive, Center for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Mr. Roger Brown, Chief Executive, Seplat Energy Plc, Mrs Bunmi Kuku, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and Ms. Demi Samande, Founder/ CEO, Majours Holdings.

The event would be chaired by Mr Dele Oye who is doubling as the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and also the Chairman of the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN).

The Vanguard Economic Discourse, the national development thought leadership event hosted by Vanguard Newspapers every year, has gained traction in the past eight years as a major public-private sector platform for reviews and cross-fertilization of economic development ideas by Nigeria’s public and private sector leaders.

The event attracts large audience and viewership, driven by huge pre-event publicity in Vanguard Newspaper – print and online platforms; Live-streaming on Vanguard online platforms; Week-long Publication of post-event proceedings in Vanguard and other newspapers.