President Bola Tinubu on Monday formally declared open the second National Economic Council (NEC) Conference at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, describing the gathering as a demonstration of collective commitment to Nigeria’s development.
While opening the conference, the President praised the National Economic Council—chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima—for sustaining a critical platform for policy coordination, collaboration, and strategic engagement among all tiers of government.
According to Naija News, the two-day conference is themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030.”
“I am pleased to address the second edition of the NEC Conference at a critical point in Nigeria’s development journey. The NEC remains a cornerstone of fiscal federalism and economic governance in our country,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu used the occasion to outline key achievements of his administration, noting that the economic reforms introduced since taking office have helped stabilise the economy and restore investor confidence.
“The monetary policies we embarked upon as part of our reforms have yielded positive results and gained global recognition,” he stated.
He specifically commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the leadership of Governor Yemi Cardoso, for rebuilding confidence in the nation’s monetary policy framework.
The President said state and local governments now enjoy higher and more predictable federal allocations, improving their ability to pay salaries, invest in infrastructure, and deliver essential social services.
He added that his administration has prioritised infrastructure development across key sectors including transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation.
Tinubu also highlighted the expansion of social investment and human capital programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable households, youths, women, and small businesses, alongside grassroots-focused initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He cited the Renewed Hope Ward Development Project as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive, bottom-up national development.
“These achievements reflect strong collaboration between the federal and state governments, development partners, and the private sector,” he said.
Speaking on the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030, the President explained that it represents the next phase of Nigeria’s development, anchored on inclusive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable growth.
According to him, the plan prioritises economic diversification and productivity, human capital development, subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage, private sector-led growth, and climate resilience.
He stressed that the success of the plan would depend largely on effective implementation at the state and local government levels, making the NEC central to aligning national priorities with subnational realities.
“This conference has reinforced collaboration, shared responsibility, and a focus on practical solutions with measurable outcomes. We must move from declarations to implementation through data-driven decision-making, peer learning among states, and innovative financing models,” Tinubu said.
The President acknowledged that while the challenges ahead are significant, the opportunities are historic, expressing confidence that the conference outcomes would further drive agricultural diversification, including dairy farming, livestock investment, and ranching.
The President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to defeat terrorism and banditry, describing the security threats facing the country as unacceptable and contrary to Nigeria’s core values.