We’ll ensure our policies’ dividends are felt across every community – Tinubu

2026-02-10 - 20:39

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to ensure the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda reforms are felt across every state and community in the country. Tinubu, represented by the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, gave the assurance in his closing remarks at the second edition of the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference, held at the State House Conference Hall, Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference was “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.” The president urged the members of the NEC, comprising state Governors, key government officials, and other relevant stakeholders, to recommit themselves to delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda. Tinubu expressed the honour of declaring the conference open with a clear call for unity of purpose, fiscal discipline, and coordinated action under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The president said that reforms were not an event but a process that required courage, patience, and consistency from all stakeholders. ” The decisions we make here must translate into visible improvements in the daily lives of all Nigerians — in jobs created, businesses supported, roads constructed, schools strengthened, healthcare improved, and opportunities expanded,” he said. The president emphasised that while the Renewed Hope Agenda was not a slogan but a national commitment, such a commitment demands that “we move beyond dialogue to delivery. “Our administration remains resolute. We will continue to support sub-national governments, deepen institutional reforms, and ensure that the dividends of our policies are felt across every state and every community in this country,” he said. Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his administration is aligned in purpose and united in responsibility, adding that “together, we will build a more resilient economy, a more inclusive society, and a stronger federation.” He commended the Chairman of the NEC, Vice President Kashim Shettima, for his steady leadership of the National Economic Council and for guiding deliberations with clarity and focus. ” Today, as we draw this second edition of the National Economic Council Conference to a close, I am deeply encouraged by the seriousness of engagement and the strength of the consensus we have built. ” I also want to thank our governors, ministers, development partners, and private sector stakeholders for their frank contributions and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s national progress,” he said. According to the president, the NEC Conference demonstrated that the path to sustainable prosperity lies in collaboration — between the federal and state governments, between the public and private sectors, and between policy formulation and disciplined execution. He noted that NEC members and stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to fiscal responsibility, economic diversification, infrastructure expansion, food security, social protection, and human capital development. The president also stressed that the government has strengthened mechanisms for coordination and accountability, which are now translating into improved socio-economic benefits for Nigerians. NAN reports that the conference provided a platform for a holistic examination of key economic issues and for a shared understanding of policy options to address the nation’s economic challenges. It also discussed effective collaboration and synergy with the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing a platform for stakeholders to align with the administration’s strategic vision under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The conference equally produced far-reaching policy recommendations for states and local governments to align with the federal government’s long-term economic agenda. A total of seven panel sessions were conducted, with nine lead papers presented by resource persons and experts on various sub-themes, including the economy, interstate collaboration, fiscal governance, human capital development, security, domestic production, and partnership frameworks for economic growth. Similarly, the NEC made some key policy recommendations in a communique read by Dr Deborah Odo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the NEC. The communique urged states to align with the national security framework under the Renewed Hope Agenda and adopt non-kinetic approaches to address unemployment and poverty. It also asked all tiers of government to move from haphazard growth financing to catalysing growth by strengthening cooperative federalism, translating macroeconomic reforms into real impact for citizens, and driving Nigeria towards a one-trillion-dollar economy. The communique urged governments at all levels to identify and prioritise bankable, growth-generating projects across strategic sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, transport and logistics, and digital infrastructure. The council also asked the federal government to ensure optimal investment in the oil and gas sector while diversifying into domestic refining and non-oil sectors to enhance energy security, reduce import dependence, strengthen value chains, and create employment. It implored governments at all levels should key into the Renewed Hope Agenda by developing technology and artificial intelligence skills to remain competitive in the global economy and support the goal of a one-trillion-dollar economy. It urged states to enact the harmonised tax law to address multiple taxation and complement ongoing tax reforms. The council further commended the 12 states that have passed the harmonised tax law and encouraged the 13 states with pending legislation, as well as the remaining 11 states yet to conclude the process, to accelerate passage. Vanguard News