The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has disclosed that Nigeria’s economy is driven by at least 80 percent from the private sector, while the public sector has a meagre 20 percent.
This was revealed yesterday in Lagos by CIPE’s Country Director, Mrs. Gbadamosi Omowunmi during the first day of a three- day workshop organized by CIPE in conjunction with the International Republican Institute (IRI) and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
The workshop, according to the organisers is aimed at strengthening the capacity of private sector advocacy coalitions to raise awareness of the business community’s policy priorities through issues –based political dialogue in the lead up to the 2015 elections.
Gbadamosi noted that the role of the private sector in the democratic process cannot be under estimated especially as it contributes substantially to the development of the country in terms of job creation.
She said: “For instance, Lagos state has a population of 18 million people with only 55,000 out of that number who are on the state’s pay role, while the rest are absolved by the private sector. Government should also help to assist this sector to thrive”.
She however, lamented the challenges being confronted by the private sector in terms of confiscation of goods by some agencies, multiple taxation from the tiers of government, unconducive business environment especially as they are the custodian of power and they should be accountable to the people who elects them to the office.
She also hinted that the people need to know the rule of engagement and that of their environment they operate in, as well as look up to the courts for the right judgement.  The Country Director, while explaining the deficit of the rule of law, she noted that the rule of law should be held sacrosanct and should not be seen as the rule of the rulers.
Gbadamosi also disclosed that women need to occupy the space in a democratic situation and should not be marginalised in the country. Noting that everyone should ensure that democracy delivers, which is the minimum that a citizen could ask of.
“If democracy doesn’t deliver, it means that we have been robbed and short-changed. Democracy should be a representative government, where power comes from the people, through this, we concede power to some people to represent everyone,

Private sector drives 80% of Nigeria’s economy