State governors from across Nigeria have gathered at the presidential villa in Abuja for the monthly meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The meeting, attended by ministers responsible for finance and budget, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other co-opted government officials, aims to address critical economic issues and challenges facing the nation.
Established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the NEC plays a vital role in advising the President on the economic affairs of the federation, with a focus on coordinating economic planning efforts and programmes across the country. The council is mandated to provide recommendations and measures necessary for enhancing the nation’s economic landscape.
One of the key items on the agenda is the discussion of ecological and security challenges in Nigeria, alongside the formulation of resolutions on economic issues. The council operates through ad hoc committees, which are formed to address specific tasks and are dissolved upon completion of their assignments.
During the inauguration of the NEC in June, President Bola Tinubu urged the council to actively contribute to the administration’s efforts to transform the nation’s economic fortunes. Emphasizing the enormity of the task at hand, he stressed that there should be “no excuse for failure” in driving the nation’s economic growth and development. The President reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its promises to the Nigerian people.
Notable attendees at the meeting include governors from Kaduna, Bauchi, Ogun, Bayelsa, Kwara, Kogi, Jigawa, and several deputy governors. The discussions and resolutions stemming from this gathering are expected to have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s economic landscape.
