Abuja: The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has advocated stronger private-sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to revive viable moribund state-owned enterprises. Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of the chamber, made the suggestion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Jideani emphasized the critical role of collaboration between the government and private investors in restoring viable state-owned enterprises. He called for comprehensive reforms and professional management to revive the sector, stating that stronger private-sector participation through PPPs will support the revival of these enterprises effectively. Jideani highlighted the need for treating the enterprises as economic assets that are commercially viable, professionally managed, and accountable for results.
The director-general recommended comprehensive audits to assess the enterprises’ financial positions, assets, liabilities, infrastructure conditions, market potential, and reasons for their decline. He suggested classifying enterprises based on strategic importance, commercial viability, and the need for restructuring or repurposing. Viable enterprises should undergo recapitalisation, debt restructuring, technology upgrades, and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure to restore their productive capacity.
Jideani also stressed the importance of strong corporate governance and professional management, advocating for competence, integrity, and relevant industry experience in board appointments. He called for clear and measurable performance targets, operational autonomy for management, and accountability for productivity and service delivery. He identified operating challenges such as unreliable power, inadequate infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks, and limited access to finance.
The ACCI Director-General described PPPs as an important instrument for reviving enterprises where the government lacks sufficient capital, technology, or managerial expertise. He noted that PPP arrangements should involve clearly defined responsibilities, risks, rewards, and performance obligations for both government and private investors. Various PPP models were suggested, including management contracts, leases, concessions, joint ventures, and strategic equity partnerships, depending on each enterprise’s nature, strategic importance, and commercial potential.
Private investors could provide capital, technology, innovation, modern management systems, market access, and operational expertise to support enterprise revival. Jideani urged the government to offer an enabling regulatory environment, facilitate infrastructure access, protect public interests, and preserve strategic national objectives. Successful partnerships would require transparent procurement, defined performance indicators, appropriate risk allocation, regular monitoring, and accountability.
He advocated for collaboration involving financial institutions, development finance institutions, organised private sector groups, labour, host communities, technical experts, and research institutions. Jideani pointed to Asian economies as models for Nigeria, suggesting consistent industrial policies, investment in infrastructure and human capital, promotion of manufacturing, and strengthening enterprise competitiveness. He concluded that Nigeria’s enterprise revival should form part of a broader industrial transformation agenda focused on productivity, technology, local value addition, and global competitiveness.