Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang has issued a powerful call to action, stating that Nigeria’s dream of becoming a trillion-dollar economy cannot be achieved by relying solely on top-down strategies. Speaking at the National Workshop organized by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Muftwang emphasized the critical need for grassroots involvement in national economic planning.
Addressing policymakers, capital market stakeholders, and development partners, the governor highlighted the workshop’s timely theme: “Capital Formation in Nigeria: Strengthening Industry, Institutions, and Markets to Bolster a One Trillion Dollar Economy.” He used the platform to stress that true economic transformation must begin at the base of the pyramid, not the top.
Governor Muftwang warned that Nigeria’s continued dependence on centralized economic models would not produce inclusive or sustainable growth. He argued that the informal sector, local governments, and rural communities must be prioritized in national strategies if the trillion-dollar goal is to be more than just a slogan.
“As long as we keep producing top-to-bottom statistics, we will continue making top-to-bottom decisions that yield minimal impact,” Muftwang declared. “We need to flip the script and start focusing on the real drivers of the economy, MSMEs, agriculture, informal trade, and rural innovation.”
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He urged the Federal Government and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to collaborate more effectively with state-level data agencies to ensure economic policies are rooted in local realities. According to Muftwang, better state-level data would lead to smarter investment decisions and targeted development across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Citing Plateau State’s own initiatives, the governor revealed that his administration is already channeling investments into rural value chains and empowering small businesses. He called on fellow governors to adopt similar bottom-up strategies to unlock growth across their states.
Governor Muftwang’s remarks also echoed the sentiments of Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose representative at the event called for bold and market-driven reforms. Muftwang commended the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers for hosting a timely dialogue and reaffirmed his support for reform efforts that put people first.
With this bold statement from one of the country’s progressive state leaders, the conversation around Nigeria’s trillion-dollar economy has shifted. From the farms of Barkin Ladi to the bustling markets of Jos, Governor Muftwang believes the journey to economic transformation must start at the grassroots, where the real Nigeria lives and thrives.
