President Bola Tinubu has strongly reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and banditry across Nigeria, describing these security challenges as "unacceptable" and "foreign" to the nation's cultural values. Speaking during his opening remarks at the Second National Economic Council (NEC) Conference in Abuja, themed "Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030," President Tinubu emphasized that insecurity poses a significant "economic hindrance" that requires immediate and decisive solutions.

He assured Nigerians that with determination and resilience, his government would overcome these threats, which have caused sleepless nights for many.

The President commended several state governors, particularly those of Borno, Katsina, and Kaduna, for their substantial contributions to defending the country's freedom, liberty, and commonwealth against these security threats. He pledged to further strengthen Nigeria's security forces to ensure peace and stability across affected communities, underscoring that enhancing national security is central to achieving inclusive growth and the broader objectives of the Renewed Hope national development plan.

Beyond security, President Tinubu elaborated on his administration's comprehensive efforts to transform the economy. He highlighted ongoing initiatives to strengthen macroeconomic stability through improved revenue performance, robust public financial management, and enhanced fiscal coordination. The administration has also prioritized extensive infrastructure development across critical sectors, including transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation, viewing these as essential catalysts for inclusive growth.

The Renewed Hope Agenda In Driving Inclusive Growth

The President noted that the economic reforms implemented since his inception have yielded positive results, stabilizing the economy and restoring international confidence. He specifically praised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under Governor Yemi Cardoso for successfully restoring confidence in Nigeria's monetary policy framework.

Also, state and local governments are now receiving increased and more predictable federal allocations, significantly enhancing their capacity to pay salaries, invest in vital infrastructure, and deliver essential social services to citizens.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the administration has expanded social investment and human capital programs, explicitly targeting vulnerable households, youth, women, and small businesses. Initiatives like the "Renewed Hope Ward Development Project" also goes on to exemplify a commitment to grassroots inclusion through a bottom-up approach to national development, reflecting strong collaboration between federal and state governments, development partners, and the private sector.

President Tinubu introduced the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030 as the next crucial phase of Nigeria’s national journey. This plan is firmly anchored in achieving inclusive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable growth. Its core priorities include economic diversification and productivity, human capital development, fostering subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage, promoting private sector-led growth, and building climate resilience. The success of this ambitious plan, he stressed, will largely depend on its effective implementation at the state and local government levels, making the NEC a central platform for aligning national priorities with subnational realities.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the National Economic Council, called for deeper collaboration among all three tiers of government, describing the council as a decisive forum for shaping Nigeria's economic direction through debate and consensus.

He urged members to prioritize poverty reduction, job creation, fiscal sustainability, and stronger inter-regional trade, emphasizing that inclusive growth must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state (representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum) also reinforced the need for sustained intergovernmental cooperation, fiscal discipline, and effective implementation of reforms to achieve long-term economic ambitions.

The conference reinforced themes of collaboration, shared accountability, and a collective focus on practical solutions and measurable outcomes. Delegates agreed that Nigeria’s economic progress hinges on not just federal policy direction but also coordinated execution at state and community levels. President Tinubu expressed confidence that the resolutions from the conference would significantly advance agricultural diversification, including dairy farming, livestock investment, and ranching, affirming that despite the challenging task ahead, the opportunity for national transformation remains historic.