President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on governors, ministers, and key government institutions to ensure that policy decisions translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) Conference in Abuja, the President stressed that the success of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be measured not by resolutions or rhetoric, but by concrete outcomes such as jobs created, roads built, schools strengthened, healthcare improved, and investor confidence restored.
Represented at the conference by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu warned that high-level discussions must lead to measurable impact. “Reform is not an event. It is a process. It requires courage, patience and consistency. The decisions we make here must translate into visible improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians,” he said.
The President commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for steady leadership of the NEC and praised governors, ministers, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders for their contributions. He emphasised disciplined implementation across all tiers of government as critical for national development:
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan; it is a national commitment. That commitment demands that we move beyond dialogue to delivery. Together, we will build a more resilient economy, a more inclusive society, and a stronger Federation.”
The conference, themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan,” produced wide-ranging policy recommendations covering taxation, crude oil theft, security, social spending, investment, and constitutional reforms.
Dr. Deborah Odoh, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, reading the communiqué, highlighted the need to sustain and expand the mandate of the NEC committee on crude oil theft, and encouraged deeper collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and development partners to drive inclusive growth.
On taxation, the conference commended 12 states that had passed the harmonised tax law, urged 13 states with pending bills to fast-track passage, and called on the remaining 11 states to begin the process to curb multiple taxation. Urgent investment in education, health, and nutrition was also emphasised to address persistent underinvestment in human capital.
Security emerged as a major focus, with participants stressing that military operations alone are insufficient. Recommendations included tackling unemployment and poverty, stronger inter-agency coordination, and closer alignment between state and national security frameworks. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted, “Nigerians will only feel the impact when these resolutions are executed.”
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun highlighted the boost to investor confidence from Tinubu’s macroeconomic reforms, noting that foreign exchange distortions, rather than petrol subsidies, had previously undermined stability. He welcomed the President’s decision to decentralise the power sector, allowing states to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, with Ogun already advancing towards a state grid.
Security officials, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Police, stressed joint operations, intelligence sharing, and public trust as essential for sustainable national security. Former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa warned that fragmented efforts weaken stability, while Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mba urged collaboration over competition among agencies.
The conference underscored the interconnectedness of security, economic growth, and social cohesion under the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030, highlighting coordinated implementation across sectors as critical for Nigeria’s progress.
