BY OJO SAMSON AYOMIDE
The Breakfast Meeting conducted in Lagos by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce & Industry served as a platform for stakeholders in both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s economy to discuss the business climate, obstacles, and opportunities for the year 2026.
During his opening speech, Laurent Favier, the Consul General of France in Lagos, emphasised that “the economic scene in Nigeria for 2026 will offer both challenges and opportunities, encouraging business leaders to remain adaptable and insightful in their strategic choices. The French government, recognising Nigeria’s potential, is committed to nurturing a sustainable partnership. Organisations such as Agence Française de Dévelopement, the French Development Bank, are backing transformative initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience and sustainable progress, while Business France and the Chamber are actively advocating for French investments in Nigeria.”
The keynote address was delivered by Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, who remarked that “the NTA’s goal is not to increase taxation but to ensure fairness in taxing, with the phrase leaving no stone unturned indicating our focus on addressing structural issues rather than implementing temporary fixes. It signifies the development of a tax and fiscal structure that incentivises productivity, safeguards the vulnerable, and endorses long-term investments.”
Also attending as the Guest for the session was Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, the Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Secretariat, who expressed that “Nigeria in a Reform-Driven Economy: Leaving No Stone Unturned illustrates a mutual recognition that competitiveness is cultivated intentionally, through alignment, consistency, and trust.”
“At PEBEC, we approach reform from a simple standpoint: an enabling business environment is one where systems work predictably, institutions collaborate effectively, and businesses can plan with confidence”.
Other attendees at the business breakfast meeting included Ikemesit Effiong, Partner, SBM Intelligence, Ajibola Sogunro, Partner, Tax and Regulatory Services Forvis Mazars in Nigeria, Aminat Jegede, Partner in Tax, Regulatory & People Services division, KPMG Nigeria, chaired by Alicia Adefarasin and Senior Counsel Dentons.