Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, recently argued that government borrowing should be viewed as a calculated financial strategy rather than a moral failure. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, he stated that the primary concern should be whether borrowed funds are invested in productive areas that yield high returns, rather than focusing solely on the debt volume. He criticized populist rhetoric that paints all government debt as inherently negative.
Addressing the business sector, the Minister encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace external investment rather than insisting on full business ownership, noting that owning a smaller stake in a larger, growing enterprise is more beneficial. Furthermore, Prof. Oyedele proposed the creation of a specialized Commercial Dispute Resolution Tribunal to address the slow pace of civil litigation. He suggested that by utilizing judges and arbitrators with specific financial expertise, cases could be resolved significantly faster than the current court system allows, which he noted can take up to 15 years.
During the event, Dr. Emomotimi Agama of the Securities and Exchange Commission highlighted the importance of research-based policymaking, while Prof. Uche Uwaleke, president of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, urged for closer ties between academic institutions and the financial industry to better prepare students and improve policy formulation.
