President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged governors, ministers and top government institutions to ensure that ongoing economic reforms translate into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at the close of the two-day National Economic Council (NEC) Conference in Abuja, the President warned that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be judged not by policy pronouncements but by tangible outcomes — jobs created, roads constructed, schools strengthened, healthcare improved and investor confidence restored.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu cautioned against allowing the conference to end as another high-level engagement without concrete impact.
“Reform is not an event. It is a process. It requires courage, patience and consistency,” he said.
“The decisions we make here must translate into visible improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians: jobs created, businesses supported, roads constructed, schools strengthened, healthcare improved and opportunities expanded.”
‘Beyond Dialogue to Delivery’
Tinubu described the Renewed Hope Agenda as a national commitment that demands disciplined implementation across all tiers of government.
“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,” he said.
He commended Vice-President Kashim Shettima for his leadership of the NEC and praised governors, ministers, development partners and private-sector stakeholders for their contributions.
The conference, themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030,” produced policy recommendations spanning taxation, crude oil theft, security, social investment, constitutional reforms and private-sector collaboration.
Tax Reform, Oil Theft and Social Investment
Reading the communiqué, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, said participants agreed to sustain and expand the mandate of the NEC committee on crude oil theft, citing the heavy revenue losses linked to the crime.
On tax reforms, the conference commended 12 states that have passed the harmonised tax law, urged 13 others with pending bills to fast-track passage, and encouraged the remaining 11 states to begin the legislative process to curb multiple taxation.
Odoh stressed the need for increased investment in human capital.
“There is an urgent need to ramp up investment in the social sectors, particularly education and health, including nutrition,” she said, noting Nigeria’s longstanding underinvestment in these areas.
Security Beyond Military Force
Security discussions dominated several sessions, with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Police calling for deeper intelligence sharing, joint operations and stronger inter-agency coordination.
The conference agreed that military force alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, recommending non-kinetic strategies such as tackling unemployment and poverty.
Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, warned that fragmented security efforts weaken national stability and economic recovery.
“Sustainable security is not achieved by force alone. Intelligence fusion, coordination and technology must work together with governance and development,” he said.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, represented by DIG Frank Mba, emphasised that modern crime patterns require unified national action and collaboration rather than competition among security agencies.
Governors Weigh In
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the conference outcomes must extend beyond government circles.
“We must implement what we have agreed. Nigerians will only feel the impact when these resolutions are executed,” he said.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described Tinubu’s macroeconomic reforms as critical to restoring investor confidence, arguing that foreign exchange distortions — more than fuel subsidies — had done lasting damage to the economy.
“The fuel subsidy was visible, but the forex subsidy did more long-term damage,” Abiodun said, adding that recent fiscal and monetary reforms have stabilised the foreign exchange market and restored confidence in holding the naira.
He also welcomed the decentralisation of the power sector, noting that Ogun State is already regulating its electricity market and working toward establishing a state grid.
As the NEC conference concluded, the central message from the presidency was clear: reforms must now deliver results that Nigerians can see and feel.