President Bola Tinubu yesterday acknowledged the severe impact of terrorism on Nigeria, saying the menace has deprived citizens and his administration of peace of mind.
Despite the grim assessment, the president expressed confidence that the country would triumph over terrorism and banditry, calling the security challenges incompatible with Nigeria’s fundamental values.
While inaugurating the Second National Economic Council (NEC) Conference at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu reassured Nigerians of his government’s commitment to bolstering security forces and restoring stability in troubled regions.
“I promise you here that I’ll play my part. Seven zones of mechanization are coming. I promise Nigerians that this will be delivered, and I am here again to further find ways to strengthen our security forces and defeat terrorism,” he said.
“That, I promise you, is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you we will win with determination and resilience. We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry. It’s not part of our culture. It’s foreign to us.”
The president characterized insecurity as a major obstacle to economic development, emphasizing the need for collective action to address it urgently.
He specifically recognized the governors of Borno, Katsina, and Kaduna states, among others, for their efforts “to defend our freedom, liberty and our commonwealth”.
Addressing governors, ministers, National Assembly members, development partners, and private sector leaders at the two-day conference—themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030″—Tinubu described the event as evidence of shared commitment to advancing the nation.
He commended the National Economic Council, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, for maintaining an essential forum for coordinating policy and strategic discussions.
“I am pleased to address the second edition of the National Economic Council Conference at a critical moment in Nigeria’s development journey. NEC remains a cornerstone of fiscal federalism and economic governance in our country,” the president noted.
Reviewing his administration’s accomplishments, Tinubu said economic reforms implemented since taking office have stabilized the economy and rebuilt confidence.
“I must say again at this juncture, the monetary policy that we have embarked on since the reforms has yielded positive results and gained recognition around the world,” he stated.
He praised Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso for restoring credibility to Nigeria’s monetary policy framework.
According to the president, state and local governments now receive larger, more consistent federal allocations, improving their ability to pay salaries, develop infrastructure, and provide social services.
He added that his administration has prioritized infrastructure development across transportation, energy, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation sectors.
Tinubu also highlighted expanded social investment and human capital programs targeting vulnerable households, youth, women, and small businesses, alongside community-level initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Renewed Hope Ward Development Project further demonstrates our commitment to grassroots inclusion through a bottom-up approach to national development,” he said.
“These successes reflect strong collaboration among the federal and state governments, development partners and the private sector.”
Regarding the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030, the president explained that it marks the next chapter in Nigeria’s development trajectory, focused on inclusive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable growth.
“The plan prioritises economic diversification and productivity, human capital development, subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage, private sector-led growth, and climate resilience,” he said.
“Its success will depend largely on effective implementation at the state and local government levels, making NEC central to aligning national priorities with subnational realities.”
Tinubu told participants that while Nigeria faces significant challenges, the opportunity for transformation is unprecedented.
He expressed optimism that conference outcomes would advance agricultural diversification, including dairy farming, livestock investment, and ranching initiatives.
Vice President Shettima urged governors, ministers, and public officials to pursue inclusive growth and economic progress that benefits ordinary Nigerians.
He noted that developed economies have shifted from pursuing growth for its own sake toward sustainable development that includes all citizens.
Delivering his keynote address, Shettima described the conference as a continuation of the government’s commitment to the Nigerian people.
“The inclusive growth on our radar is not an exercise in sloganeering. We have confronted the macroeconomic obstacles before us. What remains is to ensure that progress filters down to the everyday lives of our people,” he said.
“Our mission is incomplete if a child born in Lafia does not have the same chance to thrive as one born in Lagos; if the farmer in Makurdi, the entrepreneur in Aba, and the student in Sokoto cannot all find dignity, opportunity, and hope within the Nigerian dream.”
Shettima observed that beyond reviewing upcoming tasks, the conference demonstrates the productive relationship Tinubu has maintained with NEC throughout “the memorable years of inevitable and transformative reforms aimed at resetting the foundations” of Nigeria’s economy.
He commended Tinubu for improving the country’s economic prospects, saying it would be hard to question the president’s sincerity in protecting “the Nigerian economy in a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions and rising economic protectionism”.
Explaining the conference objectives, Shettima said it aims to onboard new governors and strengthen collective understanding of NEC’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
Among other goals, he said the retreat seeks to align federal and state strategies with the National Development Plan (2021–2025) and Nigeria Agenda 2050, particularly regarding poverty reduction, job creation, and social protection.
Other objectives include strengthening regional collaboration through frameworks for inter-regional trade, investment, and infrastructure while leveraging each geopolitical zone’s comparative advantages.
The conference would also examine strategies for fiscal sustainability at federal and subnational levels, reforming tax systems and enhancing internally generated revenue without overburdening citizens, while ensuring NEC decisions lead to legislative and executive actions producing concrete results at all levels of government.
The vice president encouraged participants “to be bold in thought, courageous in questioning the status quo, and resolute in crafting an implementable roadmap that speaks not just to growth, but to growth that is inclusive, sustainable, and transformative”.
“History will not judge us by what we discuss, but by the clarity of the actions and the impact inspired by such decisions. May this conference mark another step towards a nation that works for all its people,” he said.
Representing Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun emphasized states’ critical role in shaping macroeconomic outcomes through investment decisions, tax administration, and service delivery, calling for disciplined and socially legitimate reform implementation.
He characterized NEC as “the engine room of economic leadership, not merely an advisory body”.
Development partners, in their remarks, reinforced calls for stronger partnerships, advocating closer alignment between government policy and enterprise capacity to unlock scalable investments.
Throughout the sessions, delegates agreed that Nigeria’s economic advancement depends not only on federal policy direction but also on coordinated implementation at state and community levels, with fiscal discipline, consensus-building, and inclusive execution emerging as key themes.
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