President Tinubu urges federal and state governments to implement NEC resolutions, focusing on inclusive growth, infrastructure, and human capital development

President Bola Tinubu has called on federal and state governments to turn the outcomes of the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference into concrete benefits for Nigerians, pledging to build a more resilient economy and inclusive society.

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Delivering closing remarks at the two-day conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stressed that policy reform must translate into visible improvements in the lives of citizens.

“Reform is not an event. It is a process. It requires courage, patience and consistency,” Tinubu said. “The decisions we make here must translate into jobs created, businesses supported, roads constructed, schools strengthened, healthcare improved, and opportunities expanded.”

He commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for his leadership of the NEC and thanked governors, ministers, development partners, and private sector stakeholders for their contributions.

Tinubu emphasised that sustainable prosperity depends on collaboration between federal and state governments, public and private sectors, and disciplined execution of policy.

The conference, themed Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan, produced wide-ranging policy recommendations for all tiers of government.

Reading the communique, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, highlighted resolutions including sustaining and expanding the mandate of the NEC committee against crude oil theft, strengthening partnerships with the private sector and civil society, and expediting the passage of harmonised tax laws in all states.

The conference also recommended increased investment in human capital, noting Nigeria’s underinvestment in education and healthcare. “State governments should increase per capita spending on health, education and youth employment to improve human capital outcomes and expand opportunities for economic participation,” Odoh said.

On security, the NEC communique advised non-kinetic measures to complement military operations, strengthening inter-agency cooperation and encouraging state governments to integrate into the national security framework.

Other resolutions included expanding concessional financing for productive sectors, securing production corridors, improving federal-state coordination for domestic production, and diversifying the economy beyond oil while optimising investments in the oil and gas sector.

The conference also urged expediting constitutional amendments to address inconsistencies in fiscal federalism and enable effective rollout of the tax regime.

Speaking to State House correspondents, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasised that implementing the resolutions was crucial for the Nigerian people to benefit.

“It’s only when we all implement all of the various things that were taken up that the Nigerian people will be the eventual beneficiaries,” he said.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun highlighted the administration’s macroeconomic reforms, infrastructure projects, and federal-state collaboration as major confidence boosters for investors.

“There’s stability in the forex market. There’s confidence in holding the naira. Macroeconomic policies are the biggest enabler of investor confidence,” he said.

The two-day event, convened by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, attracted over 350 delegates, including governors, deputy governors, ministers, the Inspector General of Police, members of the National Assembly, and representatives of international development partners and private sector organisations.

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The conference served as a platform to align subnational governments with the strategic vision of the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030.