FiBOP Conference to explore tax reforms, industrialisation, fintech, investment for $1trn economy

Fasesin Emmanuel

Finance and Business Online Publishers (FiBOP), a professional body of business and financial journalists in Nigeria, has announced plans to host its 2026 Annual Conference, with stakeholders expected to deliberate on strategies for unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and achieving the Federal Government’s $1 trillion economy vision.

The two-day economic conference is scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Orchids Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

The conference, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Economic Potential: Taxation, Industry, Insurance, Fintech, Trade & Investment as Catalysts for Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Vision,” is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, chief executives, investors, development partners, heads of government agencies and other key players in the Nigerian economy.

According to FiBOP, the conference is designed as a high-level platform for examining Nigeria’s economic policies, identifying opportunities within critical sectors and developing practical recommendations capable of accelerating sustainable economic growth.

The organisers said discussions at the conference would focus on major sectors considered critical to Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

Key areas of discussion will include taxation, with emphasis on smarter revenue mobilisation, efficient tax administration and fiscal reforms capable of supporting rather than constraining businesses.

Participants will also examine the state of Nigeria’s industrial sector, particularly the need to scale up manufacturing, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), promote industrialisation and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The insurance sector will equally receive attention, with discussions expected to focus on deepening insurance penetration, improving public confidence in insurance services and expanding financial inclusion across different segments of the Nigerian population.

FiBOP said fintech would be another major area of focus, particularly its role in driving digital payments, financial innovation and economic inclusion, while also ensuring effective regulatory alignment that encourages innovation and protects consumers.

The conference will further explore Nigeria’s trade potential, including strategies for boosting exports, strengthening intra-African trade, improving port efficiency and positioning Nigerian businesses to take greater advantage of regional and international markets.

Investment is also expected to dominate the discussions, with stakeholders examining ways of attracting more domestic and foreign capital into infrastructure, productive sectors and other areas capable of supporting long-term economic growth.

The conference comes amid ongoing economic reforms by the Federal Government aimed at repositioning Nigeria for stronger growth, increased investment and greater global competitiveness.

The FiBOP organisers believe that achieving the $1 trillion economic target will require coordinated action across government, the private sector, financial institutions, regulators, investors, development organisations and the media.

Chairman of the FiBOP 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Barnabas Esiet, said the conference would provide an important platform for stakeholders to critically examine Nigeria’s economic direction while developing practical recommendations that could strengthen growth, investment and national development.

Esiet said the planning committee was committed to ensuring that the conference moved beyond discussions to produce meaningful and actionable outcomes.

According to him, particular attention would be given to economic reforms, financial inclusion, enterprise development, job creation and the role of credible journalism in promoting informed economic decision-making.

He noted that business and financial journalists had an important responsibility in ensuring that Nigerians, investors and other stakeholders understood the implications of government policies and economic developments.

Speaking at the conference, FiBOP President, Charles Onwuatogwu said the organisation remained committed to using its platform to amplify conversations capable of shaping Nigeria’s economic future.

Onwuatogwu said FiBOP 2026 would seek to bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation by bringing together key actors from both the public and private sectors.

“As business and financial journalists, we are committed to amplifying conversations that shape Nigeria’s economic future. FiBOP 2026 will bridge the gap between policy and practice, catalyzing to unearth, deepen and strengthen the nation’s potentials and provide actionable insights for achieving the $1 trillion economy vision by 2030.”

The FiBOP President stressed the importance of identifying and strengthening Nigeria’s economic potentials, particularly at a time when the country is implementing far-reaching reforms across taxation, financial services, trade and investment.

The organisers said the conference would also provide opportunities for stakeholders to exchange ideas, examine emerging trends and identify partnerships capable of driving enterprise development and economic transformation.

Beyond its focus on economic policy and business development, the conference is expected to underscore the importance of credible and professional journalism in supporting national development.

FiBOP said the media has a critical role to play in providing accurate economic information, holding stakeholders accountable, explaining complex policies to the public and creating platforms for constructive dialogue between government and the private sector.

With Nigeria’s economic transformation requiring stronger collaboration among stakeholders, the conference is expected to provide an avenue for policymakers and business leaders to engage directly on the challenges and opportunities confronting the economy.

The two-day event is therefore positioned as a major gathering of economic and business stakeholders seeking practical pathways towards stronger productivity, increased investment, job creation, financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth.

FiBOP is inviting interested stakeholders, organisations and participants to register for the conference, while businesses and institutions seeking partnership opportunities are also encouraged to engage the Conference Planning Committee.

For media inquiries, partnership and registration, the organisers provided the following contact numbers: 0708 998 3848, 0806 390 8550 and 0803 332 6888.
About FiBOP

The Finance and Business Online Publishers (FiBOP) is a professional body of business and financial journalists dedicated to promoting excellence in economic reporting, fostering stakeholder engagement, and recognising organisations and individuals driving innovation, investment and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria and across Africa.