Stanbic IBTC Hosts Inaugural Nigeria Business Summit, Drives Sustainable Growth Agenda
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
Stanbic IBTC Holdings has successfully hosted the maiden edition of the Nigeria Business Summit 2026, bringing together key stakeholders to chart pathways for sustainable economic growth and sectoral development.
The two-day summit, held from April 1 to 2 at the Landmark Event Centre, convened policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to explore opportunities in trade, innovation, and sustainable enterprise development.
With the theme “Nigeria Means Business: Powering Sectors, Growing Sustainable SMEs & Unlocking Global Trade,” the summit addressed critical sectors including agribusiness, renewable energy, ICT and telecommunications, and Africa–China banking. Additional sessions focused on family business sustainability, artificial intelligence, insurance, pensions, and wealth management.
Delivering the keynote address, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, underscored the urgency of repositioning Nigeria as an export-driven economy.
“Our true potential lies in becoming a leading export economy. Increased participation in regional and global trade will be critical to diversifying foreign exchange earnings and driving inclusive growth,” he stated.
Edun noted that while Nigeria’s GDP growth has risen to about four per cent, it remains insufficient to significantly reduce poverty levels. He explained that the government’s economic focus is shifting from stabilisation to accelerated growth, driven largely by trade expansion.
He highlighted ongoing reforms such as improved foreign reserves, rising non-oil revenues, and renewed investor confidence as signs of economic resilience, while stressing the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, logistics, and policy coordination to enhance trade competitiveness.
The summit also placed strong emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for over 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for deeper collaboration between public and private sectors to unlock inclusive growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Group Chief Executive, Chuma Nwokocha, the Chief Finance and Value Management Officer, Kunle Adedeji, said the summit underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation.
“This summit has reinforced the importance of creating platforms where ideas can flourish and businesses can grow sustainably. By working together, we can unlock new opportunities and drive economic advancement across Nigeria and the African continent,” he said.
Executive Director, Business & Commercial Banking, Remy Osuagwu, commended the high level of engagement among participants, describing it as a defining feature of the summit.
Day Two of the event focused on SMEs, with the Deputy Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju, highlighting emerging trends shaping the business landscape, including artificial intelligence, evolving insurance models, and electric vehicle financing.
“Our goal is to explore what’s next and understand how these developments will shape businesses, enabling organisations to stay ahead of the curve,” she noted.
The summit featured panel discussions, expert presentations, networking sessions, and highlights such as the Africa Trade Barometer presentation and deep-dive breakout sessions across key sectors.
Stanbic IBTC said the inaugural summit reflects its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s business ecosystem, supporting sustainable enterprises, and positioning the country as a competitive player in the global economy.
