APC Leaders, Govs Recommit To Advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

We’re shifting from stabilisation to acceleration in 2026, Says VP Shettima

Urges reconciliation, unity among party leaders to move Nigeria forward

By: Our Reporter

State governors on the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and other leaders of the party have recommitted to boosting grassroots mobilisation in order to promote and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This is just as the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said the Tinubu administration has shifted focus from stabilisation in 2025 to acceleration in 2026, with the N58.18 trillion 2026 budget anchoring the new phase.

The governors and other party leaders made the recommitment on Tuesday in Abuja during the PGF Renewed Hope Ambassadors Summit 2026 held at the State House Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa.

Senator Shettima who represented President Tinubu at the Summit told the party leaders, governors under the aegis of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors that the moment calls for reflection on the administration’s reforms, the sacrifices made and the responsibilities to translate vision into measurable impact for Nigerians.

“As we advance into 2026, our focus shifts from stabilisation to acceleration. The N58.18 trn budget shall anchor this new phase. A record capital expenditure, the largest allocation to national security in the history of our country and prudent revenue projections, we are scaling growth while strengthening resilience,” he said.

The Vice President noted that the administration’s landmark tax reforms were “introduced to protect the vulnerable, encourage enterprise and entrench transparency in public finance.”

He cited the recent executive order affecting remittances to the federation account, saying it “is designed to safeguard federation revenues, eliminate duplicative structures, curb waste and ensure that resources are responsibly managed for maximal national benefits.”

VP Shettima pointed out that from the onset, the Tinubu administration chose the path of honesty and discipline, confronting deep-seated structural distortions, even as he said the decision has “restored fiscal credibility, stabilised the economy and set the foundation for long term economic growth.

“Today, we are seeing clear signs that our reforms have began to yield results. Inflationary pressures are moderating, fuel prices are easing, our currency is strong and stable,” he stated.

Noting that the economy is picking up under President Tinubu, the Vice President said out of “the seven major investment decisions made in 2025 in Africa, five were drawn in Nigeria,” a development he said shows “the strength, viability and the promise of the Nigerian economy.”

He however observed that no reform can succeed without public understanding and participation, just as he identified the communication gap as “the strategic importance of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.”

Reminding them of their function duty, the VP said, “This platform shall serve as the avenue for civic engagement. Ambassadors must explain why tough decisions had to be made and how they lead to jobs, security, enterprise, opportunities and a more stable future.

“They must counter misinformation with facts, replace rumour with evidence and ensure that Nigerians from across the country have access to the truth. They must also serve as the channel for feedback, bringing community concerns and lived experiences back to government.”

Senator Shettima tasked the Renewed Hope Ambassadors on wider outreach, saying they must “move beyond conference centres to the wards, markets, and campuses, across the country.

“This mission is about presence, truth and trust. Elections are not conducted on social media platforms, they conducted by Nigerians who will… This summit affirms our commitment to a shared future of promise and peace for all Nigerians. Together we will continue translating reforms into opportunities, policy into impact and sacrifice into renewed hope,” he added

Citing the situation in Benue State as an instance, the Vice President further stressed the need for reconciliation and unity among party leaders, urging them to mend fences and move their state forward.

“I want to use this special forum to make appeal to the SGF and Governor Alia to mend fences and move the state forward,” he stated.

Earlier, National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, regretted that despite significant infrastructure projects delivered by the Tinubu administration and state governments, the party’s achievements had not been visible due to poor communication.

“Good governance without communication is invisible. I’ve visited many states. I’ve seen beautiful projects, beautiful things being done, but they’re invisible and not communicated,” he lamented.

Yilwatda stressed the need for effective communication, which he said is critical to translating governance achievements into political capital, explaining that it was the reason forestablishing the Renewed Hope Ambassadors structure.

In his address, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said stakeholders are on the ground to trigger a process that will unify the APC structure into a stronger and more united political family.

He assured that through the summit, stakeholders have chosen Nigeria’s long-term stability over short-term applause, necessitating patriotic and accurate communication of the current administration’s socio-economic development efforts thereby earning citizens’ trust at the grassroots.

“Lack of citizen understanding creates perception gaps,” he said, noting, for instance, that food prices have drastically reduced in the markets, while Nigeria has moved away from chronic oil and gas underproduction, citing the Dangote Refinery and other indigenous firms.

Also, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, advised authorities to allow members of the public to “add value” to what the party is doing across the nation.

For his part, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the Renewed Hope Agenda is a message that is unifying the nation.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on behalf of members of the Federal Executive Council, expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Tinubu for choosing them as part of his team.

Looking forward to the upcoming second term, he said they are delighted to continue working tirelessly to ensure that the next chapter of the reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are even more transformative, thereby creating more jobs and attracting more investments into the nation’s economy

APC Leaders, Govs Recommit To Advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

Experts Urge Evidence-Based Energy Reforms as Nigeria’s Transition Debate Intensifies

By: Michael Mike

Energy policy experts have called for stronger data-driven decision making in Nigeria’s energy transition process, warning that ambitious climate targets must be balanced with economic realities, job security, and the country’s persistent energy access challenges.

The call was made during a national policy dialogue where researchers presented findings on the economic, environmental, and political implications of different energy transition pathways for Nigeria.

At the event, the Stakeholders Research Workshop on Supporting Just Transition in Nigeria, organized on Tuesday in Abuja by the Ministry of Environment and Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), analysts said the study was designed to help guide policymaking by providing empirical insights into how various decarbonisation strategies could impact growth, employment, and emissions.

President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, said Nigeria’s existing commitments under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Energy Transition Plan (ETP) are ambitious but require stronger technical validation before full implementation.

He noted that current projections suggesting up to 85 percent adoption of electric vehicles by 2060 and large-scale solar electricity generation of about 150 gigawatts may be difficult to achieve under current infrastructure and investment conditions.

“Policy targets are not enough on their own,” Okereke said. “What matters is how these targets will be achieved and what the economic and social consequences will be.”

He added that the research explores multiple transition scenarios, including gas-centered development, renewable-focused expansion, and hybrid energy strategies combining both gas and renewable technologies.

According to him, a balanced transition pathway may be more realistic for Nigeria, allowing the country to gradually reduce emissions while still leveraging its vast natural gas resources to support industrial growth and electricity access.

Researchers also emphasized that Nigeria’s transition strategy must address energy poverty, noting that millions of households still lack reliable electricity supply. They said distributed renewable energy systems, particularly solar mini-grids, could play a crucial role in expanding electricity access to rural and underserved communities.

Energy economists involved in the study explained that their analysis combined energy modelling with macroeconomic projections to assess how different policy choices would influence GDP growth, employment creation, and carbon emissions.

Senior Research Fellow, ODI Global, Dr. Timothy Kelsall said the research does not attempt to predict future outcomes but instead evaluates possible consequences of policy decisions.

“We are not predicting the future,” Kelsall said. “We are showing policymakers what could happen under different scenarios so they can make informed decisions.”

He explained that the study models three major transition pathways — gas-focused transition, renewable-dominated transition, and hybrid energy development — noting that each pathway would create different economic and political impacts across sectors.

Analysts also stressed that energy transition policies must consider Nigeria’s political economy realities, as policy reforms often create winners and losers across industries and interest groups.

Experts warned that abrupt policy changes could trigger economic disruptions, particularly in regions and sectors heavily dependent on fossil fuel revenues. Instead, they recommended a gradual transition supported by investment incentives, industrial development policies, and workforce reskilling programs.

The research also examined the use of savings from fuel subsidy reforms, noting that simply removing subsidies without clear reinvestment strategies would not automatically translate into development gains.

Stakeholders said subsidy savings could be redirected toward renewable energy infrastructure, social protection programs, and industrial development initiatives that support economic diversification.

While Nigeria continues to depend heavily on oil and gas exports for foreign exchange earnings, analysts said diversification efforts remain critical for long-term economic stability.

However, they stressed that natural gas could play a transitional role in supporting electricity generation and industrial expansion while renewable energy capacity continues to grow.

Researchers urged stronger collaboration between government institutions, private sector investors, and civil society organisations to ensure successful implementation of transition policies.

As Nigeria navigates its climate and energy future, experts say the country must pursue a pragmatic energy strategy that balances environmental protection with economic growth and improved access to reliable electricity for its growing population.

Experts Urge Evidence-Based Energy Reforms as Nigeria’s Transition Debate Intensifies

Nigeria Expands Citizen Feedback Infrastructure as PEBEC, FAAN Launch ReportGov Kiosks at Major Airports

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public service efficiency with the reactivation and upgrade of the national ReportGov feedback system across major international airports in Nigeria.

The initiative, driven by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), was formally unveiled at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos, with plans to extend the system to airports in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano.

Officials said the project is part of broader governance reforms aimed at improving citizen trust in public institutions while enhancing Nigeria’s business environment and service delivery standards across government agencies.

At the unveiling ceremony, PEBEC Director-General Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu said the reactivation of ReportGov kiosks represents the federal government’s commitment to placing citizens at the center of governance reform.

She explained that the platform is designed to capture real-time complaints, commendations, and service improvement suggestions from citizens while helping government institutions respond faster to service failures.

According to her, institutionalizing feedback mechanisms will help reduce bureaucratic delays, improve inter-agency coordination, and ensure that public service performance is measured by actual service outcomes experienced by citizens.

FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku described airports as strategic economic gateways where service quality directly affects Nigeria’s international reputation.

She said improving passenger experience is critical for attracting foreign investment, promoting tourism, and strengthening business travel confidence. Kuku added that FAAN would continue supporting initiatives that promote transparency, operational efficiency, and customer-centered service delivery across Nigeria’s aviation facilities, noting that airport efficiency is closely linked to national economic competitiveness.

ReportGov serves as Nigeria’s official national grievance redress platform designed to capture citizen feedback on service delivery challenges across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

The newly upgraded physical kiosks will operate 24 hours daily in high-traffic public locations, allowing travellers and citizens to submit complaints, compliments, and policy suggestions directly into government monitoring systems.

Officials said the platform is structured to track complaints from submission to final resolution, helping authorities identify systemic service gaps and discourage unethical practices in public service interactions.

Government reform advocates said the initiative reflects a broader shift toward citizen-centered governance, where public satisfaction becomes a key performance indicator for government institutions.

Stakeholders noted that improving feedback infrastructure is particularly important as Nigeria continues efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen investor confidence in key sectors such as aviation, trade, and services.

Industry analysts said strengthening service delivery at airports is particularly important because aviation facilities serve as Nigeria’s international interface with the global economy. They explained that passengers’ first experiences at airports often shape perceptions about business conditions, investment potential, and tourism opportunities in the country. Improved feedback systems, they said, will help authorities address operational challenges such as passenger processing delays, service quality issues, and infrastructure maintenance gaps.

Officials also emphasized that the expanded deployment of ReportGov kiosks aligns with national anti-corruption and governance reform objectives. By creating structured reporting channels, the government hopes to strengthen transparency, reduce rent-seeking behavior, and improve coordination among agencies responsible for public service delivery.

As Nigeria continues its economic reform and infrastructure development agenda, authorities said citizen feedback will remain a central tool for measuring public service performance and guiding future policy decisions.

Nigeria Expands Citizen Feedback Infrastructure as PEBEC, FAAN Launch ReportGov Kiosks at Major Airports