Nigeria’s finance minister assumes G-24 chairmanship, unveils agenda for inclusive economic growth
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has officially assumed the Chairmanship of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24), pledging to focus on “Optimising Resource Development for Inclusive, Job-Rich Economic Transformation.”
In a statement released on Thursday, Edun said the new theme captures the need to harness human, financial, physical, and natural resources to drive sustainable and equitable global economic progress.
“We will foster substantive dialogue and action on a comprehensive agenda aimed at dismantling structural barriers to resource mobilization and unlocking pathways to inclusive growth,” he said, adding that his leadership would build on the solid foundation laid by Argentina’s tenure.
The minister stressed the importance of addressing global financial disparities, pointing out that the world faces an estimated $4–$5 trillion annual financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Edun also warned of increasing demographic pressures, revealing that about 1.2 billion young people are expected to enter the global labour market within the next 10 to 15 years, competing for only 400 million available jobs.
Describing this as both a challenge and an opportunity, he called on G-24 member countries to promote macroeconomic stability, economic diversification, and private-sector-led growth to generate employment and foster sustainable development.
