Vice President Kashim Shettima highlighted the importance of stability as a key priority in President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda for 2024. This statement was made during the 136th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Shettima, who serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the President, stressed the need for all levels of government to reevaluate their priorities and streamline processes.
The Vice President also emphasized the significance of making bold decisions that address crucial social issues such as social protection, social investment, and nutrition. Speaking on the theme of “Planning for Stability: Our Agenda for Economic Growth in 2024,” Shettima reminded governors and other NEC members that the success of Nigeria’s economic rescue efforts depends on their cooperation and goodwill.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his courage in embarking on bold reforms to revitalize the country’s economy, which had been hindered by decades of political lip service. Shettima stated that these reforms set Tinubu apart as a Nigerian leader and positioned him as a visionary committed to repositioning and saving the economy from further erosion.
In addition to these discussions, here are the highlights from the NEC meeting:
- Excess Crude Account: US $473,754.57
- Stabilization Account: N34,936,868,803.58
- Development of Natural Resources: N128,330,636,441.14
Regarding the impact of floods in various parts of the country, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi, who chairs the Committee on the Impact of Flood and Disaster Across States in Nigeria, classified the affected states into three groups:
- Group A (most affected): Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Rivers, Enugu, Kano, Oyo, Yobe, Zamfara
- Group B: Cross River, Delta, Jigawa, Kwara, Ondo
- Group C: Katsina, Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The NEC resolved to develop a roadmap for intervention and directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief to affected states. The roadmap will be developed and articulated by the NEC in collaboration with the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.
NAN
