Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently presiding over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.
Several key national issues, including insecurity and state policing, are expected to dominate the agenda.
The state governors and several deputy governors attend the Council Chambers meeting.
Among those in attendance is the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), who is attending the NEC for the first time since his appointment.
Also present is Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Other governors in attendance include the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara); Hyacinth Alia (Benue); Bassey Otu (Cross River); Monday Okpebholo (Edo); Uba Sani (Kaduna); and Alex Otti (Abia), among others.
Their deputy governors represent a sizable number of the states.
The National Economic Council, which is chaired by the Vice President and comprises all 36 state governors, the Central Bank Governor, and other key officials, meets periodically to deliberate on economic and developmental matters and to advise the President accordingly.
Among the pressing issues on the table is the growing insecurity in parts of the country, particularly in Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, and Kwara states.
The council is expected to review ongoing security strategies and the status of state-level consensus on the establishment of state police.
The last NEC meeting, held on February 20, saw the launch of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a nationwide program designed to tackle malnutrition in all local government areas across the country.
The outcome of the ongoing meeting is expected to shape federal and state-level collaborations in tackling insecurity, boosting economic growth, and enhancing governance in Nigeria.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
