Nigeria Has Key Role To Play In AFCFTA Negotiation — Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that Nigeria has a key
role to play in the successful negotiation process of the Africa
Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

This is as he called for private sector commitment in the
negotiation process, during the virtual opening ceremony of the
52nd Annual National Conference of the Chartered Institute of
Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM on Thursday.

Osinbajo who spoke on “Nigeria and Manpower Preparedness for
AfCFTA,” noted that it was important that Nigeria continued to lead
on the negotiation process even as it moved to the second phase
that will focus on intellectual property, competition, and
investment policy.

Noting that the AfCFTA will be the largest free trade area in
the world, he said the aspect of the negotiation process was
pertinent as Nigeria must play a leading role in harmonisation and
integration of effective border management.

According to him, “This will require the scaling of our
negotiating capacities and the private sector must support this
process by bringing in their interest, concerns and practical
understanding on dynamics of international trade, and must pay
close attention to the negotiation process.

“They must understand that even in this process of negotiation
which is to ensure that we bring in practical dimensions of
international trade by creating an enabling environment for the
private sector to participate in the negotiation that had been
negotiated.”

He added that the private sector skills, knowledge, and
experience when brought to the table will be of maximum
advantage.

He said: “Building productive capacity is only the first step,
the ability of businesses and entrepreneurs to integrate
successfully into the opportunities of the free trade agreement
gives a great deal in strengthening our domestic ability to
facilitate trade,” Osinbajo added.

Earlier, President and Chairman of Council, CIPM, Wale Adediran,
said the theme of the conference tagged, “Reinvent: Exploring New
Frontiers”, was important as it was time “to reform our
establishments, institutions, and companies; to revive
multilateral, multi-industry and cross-organisational agreements
that are essential for our growth. We must continue to create new
coalitions on the most pressing issues of our time.” he added

He called on the government, public, and private sectors to
effectively identify and address the people-related impacts and
implications of AfCFTA, to proactively mitigate against risk while
at the same timing positioning the country at the vantage point of
value.

On her part, the Head of Civil Service of Federation, Folasade
Yemi-Esan, urged organisations to be proactive and redefine their
steps digitally to be in tandem with the new normal.

According to her, organisations proactiveness and aligning to
digital innovations will restore confidence in the teeming
workforce.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that Nigeria has a key
role to play in the successful negotiation process of the Africa
Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

This is as he called for private sector commitment in the
negotiation process, during the virtual opening ceremony of the
52nd Annual National Conference of the Chartered Institute of
Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM on Thursday.

Osinbajo who spoke on “Nigeria and Manpower Preparedness for
AfCFTA,” noted that it was important that Nigeria continued to lead
on the negotiation process even as it moved to the second phase
that will focus on intellectual property, competition, and
investment policy.

Noting that the AfCFTA will be the largest free trade area in
the world, he said the aspect of the negotiation process was
pertinent as Nigeria must play a leading role in harmonisation and
integration of effective border management.

According to him, “This will require the scaling of our
negotiating capacities and the private sector must support this
process by bringing in their interest, concerns and practical
understanding on dynamics of international trade, and must pay
close attention to the negotiation process.

“They must understand that even in this process of negotiation
which is to ensure that we bring in practical dimensions of
international trade by creating an enabling environment for the
private sector to participate in the negotiation that had been
negotiated.”

He added that the private sector skills, knowledge, and
experience when brought to the table will be of maximum
advantage.

He said: “Building productive capacity is only the first step,
the ability of businesses and entrepreneurs to integrate
successfully into the opportunities of the free trade agreement
gives a great deal in strengthening our domestic ability to
facilitate trade,” Osinbajo added.

Earlier, President and Chairman of Council, CIPM, Wale Adediran,
said the theme of the conference tagged, “Reinvent: Exploring New
Frontiers”, was important as it was time “to reform our
establishments, institutions, and companies; to revive
multilateral, multi-industry and cross-organisational agreements
that are essential for our growth. We must continue to create new
coalitions on the most pressing issues of our time.” he added

He called on the government, public, and private sectors to
effectively identify and address the people-related impacts and
implications of AfCFTA, to proactively mitigate against risk while
at the same timing positioning the country at the vantage point of
value.

On her part, the Head of Civil Service of Federation, Folasade
Yemi-Esan, urged organisations to be proactive and redefine their
steps digitally to be in tandem with the new normal.

According to her, organisations proactiveness and aligning to
digital innovations will restore confidence in the teeming
workforce.