LITF ‌‍‍‌‍⁠⁠‍‌⁠⁠⁠‌‍⁠‌2026: Enterprise key to turning financial stability into prosperity – Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mentioned enterprise-driven progress was key to turning the nation’s enhancing financial stability into sustainable prosperity via elevated manufacturing, funding, commerce and job-creation.

Tinubu mentioned this Friday in Lagos whereas declaring open the fortieth Lagos International Trade Fair, organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, the president mentioned the federal authorities’s financial reforms had begun yielding outcomes.

He mentioned the nation’s gross exterior reserves stood at roughly $55.26 billion as of October, the very best stage in 18 years, whereas internet reserves had risen above 40 billion {dollars} from lower than $1 billion in 2023.

Tinubu added that headline inflation had declined to 14.63 per cent in September from above 34 per cent at its peak, whereas the economic system grew by 4.43 per cent within the second quarter.

He, nonetheless, acknowledged the difficulties related to the reforms, expressing appreciation to Nigerians for his or her endurance and sacrifices.

“When the emergency is over, the foundation has been repaired and our task now is to turn stability into prosperity, and enterprise is at the heart of that task,” he mentioned.

He disclosed that Nigeria’s non-oil exports exceeded $6.1 billion in 2025, whereas capital importation reached roughly $21 billion.

According to him, the figures point out rising investor confidence and alternatives for Nigerian companies to increase their attain.

Tinubu mentioned the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a possible market of 1.4 billion folks, offered vital alternatives for Nigerian enterprises.

He pressured the necessity for improved product requirements, quicker customs clearance and the elimination of commerce obstacles to allow native companies to compete successfully inside the continental market.

The president emphasised that sustainable financial progress required elevated home manufacturing and worth addition slightly than dependence on buying and selling in completed items produced elsewhere.

“Trade without production is merely buying and selling other people’s work. True growth comes when we make things here, when we add value here, and when we employ people here,” he mentioned.

He mentioned industrial, commerce, and funding insurance policies had been complementary, noting that manufacturing supplied items for commerce, whereas entry to markets created alternatives for industrial enlargement.

“Our industrial policy and our trade policy are not two separate agendas. They are two halves of one strategy. Industry gives us something to sell. Trade gives us somewhere to sell it,” he mentioned.

He recognized agro-processing, textiles and clothes, automotive parts, prescription drugs and inventive industries as precedence sectors for increasing home manufacturing and exports.

The president additionally described Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) as crucial drivers of financial progress, saying the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and its businesses supported greater than 115, 000 enterprises in 2025.

He urged exhibitors to maximise the honest’s business-to-business and business-to-government platforms to safe business contracts, set up partnerships and appeal to investments.

He inspired Nigerian companies to embrace digital commerce and e-commerce to achieve worldwide consumers and maintain business relationships past bodily exhibitions.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state mentioned the state was working to strengthen its place as a centre for manufacturing, innovation, funding and exports.

Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folasade Ambrose-Medebem.

He mentioned the Lagos state Industrial Policy 2025–2030 supplied a framework for a extra aggressive and sustainable industrial economic system.

President of LCCI, Mr. Leye Kupoluyi, mentioned the fortieth version of the honest represented 4 many years of connecting producers with shoppers, facilitating partnerships and serving to companies entry new markets.