Nigeria’s ambition to become a $1 trillion economy will come under scrutiny at the 42nd Omolayole Management Lecture (OML), scheduled for September 24, 2026, in Lagos.
The organisers, including AIESEC Alumni Nigeria, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chamber of Commerce of Commerce and Industry, among others, said in Lagos on Thursday, that the lecture will draw industry experts from across sectors of the Nigerian economy.
According to Marcel Mba, president, AIESEC Nigeria, the lecture themed: ‘One trillion dollar economy: What it will take Nigeria to achieve the goal,’ will examine the economic requirements and policy measures needed to achieve the ambitious target.
He noted that only about 21 countries globally, currently have economies exceeding $1trillion in nominal GDP, with no African country among them. They noted that South Africa’s economy is estimated at about $480 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at approximately $377 billion.
Adetunji Adetokunbo Oyebanji, president and chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (CIoD) will deliver the keynote address.
The organisers said the annual OML, established in 1985 in honour of veteran industrialist Michael Omolayole, will critically examine the socio-economic issues and generating recommendations for policymakers.
Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, NECA director-general, represented by Thompson Akpabio, a deputy director at NECA, noted that the Nigerian economy was plagued with daunting challenges requiring fixing. He believed that the lecture will provide the platform to address some of the drawbacks confronting the economy, if the $1trillion target must be achieved.
Bayo Ige, chairman of the planning committee, said that positions reached at this year’s lecture will form a communique that will be shared with the government and the wider Nigerian society.
The 42nd edition will hold from 2pm to 5pm at the NECA Main Auditorium, NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja.