Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms are creating a foundation for sustained development and future investment possibilities, even as citizens endure short-term difficulties, according to Pastor Ben Akabueze, who previously served as Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation.
Akabueze shared this perspective during a media briefing announcing the RCCG Christ Church Economic Summit 2026. The event is being organized by Lagos Province 35 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) as part of its Christian Social Responsibility and economic empowerment programs.
The summit, set for Saturday, January 24, 2025, carries the theme “Navigating Tax Reforms and Investment Opportunities.”
Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, will deliver the keynote address. Additional speakers include Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company; Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE); and Elizabeth Olaghere, Tax Partner at KPMG West Africa.
Pastor Emeka Obiagwu, who chairs the church’s Empowerment Committee, noted in his opening remarks that the Economic Summit has reached its 12th year and has become an essential forum for helping church members and the broader public grasp Nigeria’s economic trajectory, government budgets, and policy reforms. The summit aims to provide individuals, professionals, and business owners with knowledge to make sound financial and investment choices during economically challenging times.
Discussing the summit’s goals, Akabueze described Nigeria as undergoing “one of the most profound reform cycles in its economic history” and encouraged citizens to consider current difficulties within a long-term framework.
“These reforms bring discomfort, and we must acknowledge that,” he stated. “However, they are essential for Nigeria to achieve macroeconomic stability, rebuild investor confidence, and generate sustainable growth.”
He explained that reforms targeting taxation, fiscal policy, exchange rate management, and market liberalization aim to address deep-seated structural imbalances. “When distortions are eliminated, adjustments follow,” Akabueze observed. “These reforms ultimately establish a more transparent and predictable environment for economic planning and investment.”
The RCCG Economic Summit 2026 has been designed to help attendees fully grasp these transformations. “This summit prioritizes clarity,” he said. “We want participants to understand what is shifting, the reasons behind it, and how to position themselves to gain advantage rather than feel overwhelmed.”
Regarding taxation specifically, Akabueze pointed out that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio sits below 10 percent, while the African average hovers around 16 percent. “This explains why tax reforms are unavoidable,” he said. “During the summit, we will explore how these reforms impact personal income, business profitability, investment returns, and cash flow, with particular attention to lawful tax planning—tax avoidance, not tax evasion.”
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