FG Unveils Platform to Bridge Government-Entrepreneur Gap
The Federal Government has unveiled a new digital platform designed to bridge the longstanding gap between policymakers and entrepreneurs, as part of efforts to create a more responsive and business-friendly environment in Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Enterprise Bridge Initiative on Thursday at the State House Conference, Abuja, describing it as a structured mechanism for continuous engagement between government and the private sector.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President acknowledged that a disconnect had existed between policy formulation and the realities faced by entrepreneurs across the country.
“One side works with frameworks and projections, the other works with immediacy and risk. Bringing both into the same room is not symbolic; it is necessary,” he said.
Tinubu stressed that effective governance must be grounded in real-life experiences, noting that policies can only deliver impact when they reflect the daily challenges of businesses.
“If a policy is to be useful, it must be informed by lived experience. And if an enterprise is to thrive, it must be supported by a system that understands it,” he added.
He explained that the platform would serve as a feedback loop, enabling entrepreneurs to share insights, challenges, and recommendations directly with the government, thereby improving policy design and implementation.
In her welcome address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship Development, Chalya Shagaya, said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to placing entrepreneurs at the centre of national economic growth.
She noted that the government is already implementing reforms aimed at easing regulatory bottlenecks and expanding access to finance through key institutions.
“If we are to achieve a trillion-dollar economy, then entrepreneurs must be at the centre of the conversation consistently, deliberately and meaningfully,” she said.
Shagaya described the initiative as the beginning of a more open, responsive, and collaborative governance approach, adding that the engagement would not be a one-off exercise but a sustained process.
Also speaking, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, highlighted the potential of the creative and digital sectors to drive economic growth and attract foreign investment.
According to her, both sectors offer high-return opportunities for entrepreneurs and remain critical to the country’s broader economic diversification strategy.
The event, themed “Hustle Meets Policy,” brought together government officials, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders to explore ways of aligning public policies with the realities of doing business in Nigeria.
Participants at the dialogue emphasised the need for sustained collaboration, transparency, and data-driven decision-making to improve the operating environment for businesses and unlock economic growth.
The Federal Government said the initiative is part of broader efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen the economy, empower entrepreneurs, and build a more inclusive and resilient business ecosystem.