By Boluwatife Adedokun
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to accelerate agricultural development and intensify Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism, as part of efforts to stabilise the economy and drive inclusive national growth.
Tinubu made the pledge on Monday while speaking at the second edition of the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference, held from February 9 to 10 at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said Nigeria had reached a critical moment that demands bold reforms, effective collaboration among the three tiers of government, and decisive implementation of policies to transition the country from economic recovery to full transformation.
“The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan,’ reflects our determination to move from recovery to transformation, and to take deliberate actions that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” Tinubu said.
Addressing security challenges, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security forces and eliminating terrorism and banditry, describing insecurity as a major obstacle to economic growth.
“We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry. It is not part of our culture; it is foreign to us,” he said.
Tinubu highlighted ongoing economic reforms, noting that they were stabilising the economy, restoring investor confidence, and improving fiscal capacity at federal, state, and local government levels.
He said the reforms had led to increased and more predictable federal allocations to states, prioritisation of infrastructure development across transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation, as well as the expansion of social investment programmes targeting vulnerable households, youth, women, and small businesses.
The President explained that the Renewed Hope National Development Plan would prioritise economic diversification, human capital development, private sector-led growth, and climate resilience, with implementation extending to ward levels nationwide.
Also speaking at the conference, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described NEC as a critical platform for strengthening Nigeria’s federal system and building national consensus.
Bagudu said the administration’s reforms had attracted international recognition, citing global institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which he noted had referenced Nigeria’s ongoing economic restructuring efforts.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the NEC, stressed the importance of translating economic reforms into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
He said inclusive growth would require sustained collaboration across all levels of government and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Our pathway lies in reinventing strategies, harmonising operations across government, and taking decisive steps towards building a resilient and equitable economy,” Shettima said.
