The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has said that Nigeria is creating an enabling environment to generate over 50 million jobs for unemployed citizens and deliver sustained, inclusive growth.
This was disclosed during a news conference in Abuja where the Bureau showcased its scorecard and milestone achievements.
The Director General of BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, explained that the federal government is committed to generating jobs by fostering a favorable business environment through policy reforms and infrastructure development. He noted that government is also supporting entrepreneurship, promoting skills training, and investing in critical sectors.
Mr Gbeleyi said the Bureau is liberalizing the economy through the privatization of state-owned enterprises to create jobs and attract direct investment. According to him, “the policy objectives of the privatisation programme aim to reduce inefficiencies and optimize state-owned enterprises, infuse private capital, technology, and innovation, dismantle monopolies and reduce debt borrowing, attract foreign direct investment, and create jobs.”
He explained that the federal government is paying special attention to social sectors, with a focus on human capital development, education, health, and social development, in order to complement fiscal and revenue resources of governments.
“We have driven revenue generation by focusing on 15 strategic projects to generate N312.3 billion for the 2025 appropriation through asset sales and privatisation,” Mr Gbeleyi stated.
Speaking on past reforms, the DG recalled that before liberalisation in the telecom sector, Nigeria had barely 400,000 telephone lines which were hardly functional due to the monopoly of NITEL and ENTEL. He noted, “As of the end of July this year, telephone subscribers in the country were 169.3 million. Tele-density 78.11%. Internet subscription at 138.7 million. Broadband subscription of 104.1 million. Penetration of 48.81%. Contribution to GDP.”
On power sector reforms, he explained that the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) is delivering 2.5 million meters to Nigerians to close the metering gap. He added that the program, approved by President Bola Tinubu, will deploy over 7 million smart meters to end estimated billing, reduce energy losses, increase revenue for distribution companies, and create over 20,000 jobs.
The Director General also highlighted reforms in the pension sector. “Prior to the pension reform, which was also anchored by the Bureau in 2004, we had situations where men and women who had served our country meritoriously had to endure long queues to get their minimum pension payment. But with the Pension Reform Act in 2004, we established a supervisory and regulatory framework and licensed operators. About 23 pension fund administrators are in the country, with the registration of over 10.79 million RSA accounts as at the end of June 2025,” he said.
Mr Gbeleyi explained that reforms have also impacted the transport and aviation sectors. According to him, 26 port terminals were leased or concessioned by the Nigerian Ports Authority across six Nigerian ports including Apapa, Tinkan, Tinkan Island, Kalabawori, and Kodakot. This, he said, has reduced turnaround time for ships and cargo.
“In the aviation sector, NACO, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, and SAPO were also privatised by the BPE. Total assets were 3.3 billion back in December 2024; it has grown to 41.7 billion. Market share, which was just a mere 21%, is also catching up at 40%,” the DG explained.
He said ongoing reforms in the power sector would further increase generation capacity and improve electricity supply nationwide.
The BPE boss also pointed to the role of technology in economic growth. He said that over 500 digital hubs across the country are contributing to economic growth, fostering entrepreneurship, and bridging the digital divide. He added that more than 1.2 million jobs have been created through point-of-sale operations, alongside 500,000 direct jobs, expanding the e-commerce market which was valued at about 15 billion in 2023.
Mr Gbeleyi stressed that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Bureau remains committed to driving inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
He highlighted eight key focus areas for the Renewed Hope agenda. These include reforming the economy to deliver sustainable, inclusive growth, enhancing infrastructure and transportation, unlocking energy and national resources for development, and investing in education, health, and social investment.
Other priorities are boosting agriculture to achieve food security, accelerating diversification through industrialization and digitization, supporting creative industries and manufacturing, and strengthening technological security for peace and prosperity.
Director General of BPE, Mr Ayodeji Gbeleyi, and the management team were present at the event in Abuja on Tuesday. Photo: Alhassan Mustapha.