Centre Harps on Increased Productivity to Sustain Nigeria's Economy

The President of Centre for Public Service Productivity and Development (CeProd), Prof. Sandeep Gupta, has called for increased productivity critical in propelling the growth of the country’s economy.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Director-General of Ceprod, Dr Chris Egbu, quoted Gupta as making the appeal while inaugurating a seven-member governing council of the centre in Lagos.

Members of the governing council include Dr Solace Akande, Dr Adeyemi Abayomi and Dr Joshua Odewale,  Idris Gulu, Kelechukwu Abel, Aminu Maman and Oloyede Adeniyi.

Gupta, who emphasised the importance of improved productivity in all sectors, stressed that realising personal and organisational productivity of Nigerians by 30 per cent was necessary.

“It is important to continue to build the culture of productivity in Nigeria as the way forward to a resilient economy and increased Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

“Increased productivity is important as Nigeria continues its recovery from the 2016 recession and sustaining an estimated  two per cent growth rate in 2019.

“The collapse of global oil prices from 2014 combined with lower domestic oil production, led to a sudden slowdown in economic activities.

“Nigeria’s annual GDP growth rate, which averaged 7 per cent from 2000 to 2014, fell to 2.7 per cent in 2015 and -1.6 per cent in 2016.

“Growth rebounded to 0.8 per cent in 2017, 1.9 per cent in 2018, and then plateaued at 2.2 per cent in 2019, with another decline of 1.79 percent in 2020.

“This can only be improved if all stakeholders give attention to increasing productivity in all sectors,’’ Gupta said.

He expressed delight with the appointment of the board members of CeProd and urged them to demonstrate commitment towards strengthening and advancing the culture of productivity in Nigeria