In an inspiring gathering that brought together some of Nigeria's brightest economic minds, First Bank of Nigeria Limited hosted its annual Nigeria Economic Outlook forum in Lagos this week, creating a powerful platform for collaboration and forward-thinking solutions. The event exemplified the kind of proactive leadership that continues to drive Nigeria's economic progress.

The forum, aptly themed "The Great Calibration: Mastering Resilience in an Era of Asynchronous Growth," showcased the determination of Nigerian businesses and financial institutions to not just weather challenges, but to emerge stronger and more competitive. Distinguished speakers including Yemi Kale, group chief economist at Afreximbank, shared valuable insights that painted an encouraging picture of opportunities ahead.

Olusegun Alebiosu, CEO of First Bank, set an optimistic tone with his opening remarks, emphasizing that "nations and institutions that adapt early, think long-term, and build resilience deliberately do not merely survive periods like this. They emerge stronger." This message of hope resonated throughout the discussions, as experts outlined concrete pathways to success through investment in human capital, disciplined reforms, and robust partnerships.

One of the most uplifting highlights came from Mr. Kale's recognition of Nigeria's incredible asset: its digitally savvy, youthful population. This demographic advantage positions Nigeria as a potential regional leader in the technology space, opening doors to innovation and growth that can transform the nation's economic landscape. The acknowledgment that Nigeria's recent reforms around foreign exchange and subsidies are successfully restoring investor credibility brought a wave of optimism to the gathering.

The experts agreed that while global economic conditions present complexities, they also create unique opportunities for agile, forward-thinking businesses. Olusegun Zaccheaus from PwC pointed out the silver lining of global interest rate dynamics, noting that lower rates in advanced economies could direct more capital toward developing markets like Nigeria, where higher returns await savvy investors.

Throughout the forum, a recurring theme of empowerment emerged. Osahon Ogieva from First Bank Ghana emphasized that resilience isn't about avoiding difficulties but about building the capacity to fund growth even during challenging times. This perspective shift from fear to preparedness represents the kind of positive, proactive mindset that drives success.

Perhaps most encouraging was Niyi Yusuf's call for businesses to embrace adaptability and focus on customer solutions rather than mere transactions. This customer-centric approach, combined with the ability to be "fast and accurate" while remaining consistent, represents the evolution of Nigerian business practices toward world-class standards.

The forum demonstrated that Nigeria's business community isn't sitting back waiting for perfect conditions. Instead, leaders are actively creating frameworks for success, sharing knowledge, and building networks that will carry the nation forward. The emphasis on credibility, sustained reforms, and infrastructure investment shows a mature understanding of what drives long-term prosperity.

As Nigeria moves through 2026, the insights shared at this gathering provide a roadmap filled with practical optimism. The message is clear: with the right mindset, strategic partnerships, and commitment to innovation, Nigerian businesses and the broader economy are positioned not just to navigate current conditions, but to thrive and set new standards for success across the African continent.