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All Set for WorldStage Economic Summit 2025 in Lagos
All is set for the WorldStage Economic Summit (WES) 2025, scheduled to take place in November 2025 in Lagos. Top industry experts, policymakers, and academics will converge to discuss the theme:
“Tackling the Issue of Low Productivity in Nigeria.”
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The summit is organized by World Stage Limited, a research and technology-driven African-focused firm. It aims to provide actionable solutions to one of Nigeria’s most pressing economic challenges — low productivity across sectors.
Also on the menu will be the WES 2025 Awards for Outstanding Economic Impacts. This recognition is celebrating organizations and individuals driving measurable change in the Nigerian economy.
Confirmed Speakers and Thought Leaders
The organizers have confirmed participation from several top chief executives and thought leaders, including:
- Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director/CEO, Bank of Industry (BoI)
- Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)
- Mr. Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)
Additionally, Dr. Abidemi Adegboye, a scholar from the University of Lagos, will deliver a paper on why Nigeria’s economy has remained trapped in low productivity over the years, highlighting structural and policy factors that continue to limit national output.
WES 2025 Awards: Recognizing Outstanding Economic Impact
The WES 2025 Awards nominations portal has officially closed, with stakeholders across various industries submitting entries. Winners from different sectors have been selected and notified, and they will receive Certificates for Outstanding Economic Impacts during the summit.
The awards are designed to recognize innovation, leadership, and measurable progress in areas such as job creation, technology adoption, economic diversification, and inclusive growth.
Driving Economic Transformation Through Public-Private Collaboration
According to Mr. Segun Adeleye, President/CEO of World Stage Limited, Nigeria’s low productivity remains one of the biggest barriers to inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
“Even though many Nigerians are working, almost half of the population is poor because the right jobs are not available. The question remains: if Nigeria’s economy is transforming, is that transformation delivering higher productivity jobs that raise living standards?”
Adeleye noted that WES 2025 will provide a policy-driven platform to propose evidence-based strategies that can address systemic inefficiencies, stimulate high-value job creation, and promote sustainable economic growth.
Key Policy Focus Areas for Discussion
The summit will focus on practical, research-backed solutions aimed at enhancing productivity and competitiveness across key economic sectors.
Key areas of discussion will include:
- Evidence-Based Job Creation Policies: Developing frameworks for jobs that lift citizens out of poverty.
- Economic Reforms: Ensuring fiscal and exchange rate reforms strengthen investor confidence.
- Trade and Investment: Removing trade barriers and improving trade facilitation under the AfCFTA framework.
- Skills Development: Aligning national skills programs with economic needs and promoting digital upskilling.
- Infrastructure Development: Accelerating investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure.
- Tax and Fiscal Reforms: Mobilizing domestic resources through improved tax administration.
- Mining and Industrial Growth: Integrating Nigeria’s mineral resources into national income streams for economic diversification.
Key Sponsors and Institutional Support
WES 2025 enjoys strong backing from leading institutions and corporations, including:
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), NLNG, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Polaris Bank, Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank, Shara Group, and Ecobank.
Other critical stakeholders expected at the summit include representatives from federal and state governments, private sector leaders in agriculture, oil and gas, technology, manufacturing, blue economy, and export promotion, as well as international investors and the media.
A Platform for Innovation and Economic Renewal
Since its inception, the WorldStage Economic Summit has been recognized as a hub for innovation, policy dialogue, and business collaboration, offering participants a rare opportunity to network, learn, and drive policy reform.
The 2025 edition is expected to build on that legacy — serving as a catalyst for economic transformation, fostering partnerships that can help Nigeria transition from low productivity to high-impact growth.
