Free Trade Agreement: Industrial Council backs Buhari on consultations

President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to suspend Nigeria’s participation in signing African Continental Free Trade Agreement has been applauded by Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council.


President Buhari had in March cancelled a trip to Kigali, Rwanda, where an extraordinary summit of African Union was scheduled to sign the agreement.

The President explained that the cancellation was to allow for more consultations with stakeholders in Nigeria over the trade agreement.

But the Industrial Council at its meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, weekend, in Abuja, received a status report on the Continental Trade Agreement and supported the need for more consultations before Nigeria ratifies the agreement.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, told State House correspondents after the meeting that “council reinforced the importance of consultation, which was what the President said.”

He said:   “The meeting agreed with the President and concurred that more consultation is the way to go because the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement will have implications for us, which we hope will be positive.”