2027: Vice President Kashim Shettima Standing Tall Amidst Misguided Oppositions

By: Hon. Yusuf Adamu

In a country often marred by speculation and divisive rhetoric, the insinuations from opposition factions regarding the potential replacement of Shettima by “mischief-makers” are not only misguided but also reflective of a fundamental misunderstanding of the dynamics at play within Nigerian politics.

It is imperative to acknowledge the significance of partnerships in political leadership. Vice President Kashim Shettima has uniquely positioned himself as a pivotal figure in this administration, not merely as a subordinate but as a strategic ally to President Tinubu. Their relationship is rooted in mutual respect and shared goals, transcending partisan interests and religious affiliations.

Contrary to the narratives spun by opposition voices, there has been no indication from President Tinubu regarding any intention to replace his vice president. This sentiment is echoed by the general populace who recognize the necessity of stability and continuity during these critical times.

The intricacies of Tinubu and Shettima’s alliance are further underscored by their respective backgrounds and experiences. Both leaders have weathered the storms of political challenges and have showcased resilience that resonates with the Nigerian electorate.

It is essential not to reduce their achievements or the worth of their partnership to mere religious identities—Muslim – Muslim. Such simplifications undermine the rich tapestry of relationships that they have cultivated across different demographics throughout their political careers.

One cannot overlook the years of camaraderie, exemplified by Kashim Shettima’s longstanding friendships, particularly with notable figures such as Dr. James Bwala, who has written hundreds of articles in publications online either promoting or defending the vice president. This enduring relationship is illustrative of Shettima’s capacity to foster cross-cultural connections and to engage meaningfully with individuals from various backgrounds.

His engagement with Christians and their communities has been robust, demonstrating that his political strategy is inclusive rather than exclusionary. Shettima’s authentic relationships illustrate his commitment to unity and collaboration, affirming that the political landscape can be navigated without falling prey to division based on religious lines.

Also Shettima’s heritage plays a crucial role in this narrative. Hailing from the El-Kanemi lineage, he draws upon a rich historical legacy that reinforces his credibility. His familial and political roots in northern Nigeria provide a strategic advantage for Tinubu’s administration, enabling effective outreach and engagement in a region that holds considerable sway in national politics.

This familiarity, combined with Shettima’s adept handling of political maneuverings, ensures that the partnership remains compelling, maintaining its relevance well into the future.

The skepticism from opposition parties about the viability of this partnership is not new. Historically, political alliances in Nigeria have been fraught with uncertainty and betrayal. However, an examination of this particular partnership reveals a contrasting story marked by tenacity and strategic foresight.

As opposition narratives swirl, Tinubu and Shettima are focused on governance, leveraging their strengths to address the multifaceted challenges facing the nation. Shettima’s international representation on behalf of the President speaks volumes of the trust and confidence placed in him, a testament to his effectiveness as a vice president and a political partner.

As we reflect on the broader implications of this partnership, it becomes evident that the political landscape is evolving. The criticisms hurled by mischief-makers serve not to deter but to galvanize support for Tinubu’s administration. In fact, the apparent disconnect between the actions of the opposition and the realities on the ground may very well be hindering their ability to connect with the electorate.

People are increasingly discerning and capable of distinguishing between politically motivated rhetoric and genuine leadership. In light of this, it is critical to underscore the importance of vision and coherence in leadership. The synergy between Tinubu and Shettima can be characterized as emblematic of a larger movement aimed at fostering development, inclusivity, and progress within Nigeria.

Their collective vision, grounded in principles of governance that resonate across diverse groups, positions them as a formidable force against any opposition efforts that seek to undermine their mission.

Also, examining the socio-political context it reveals that the partnership extends beyond mere electoral calculations. It is about nurturing a cohesive Nigeria where all citizens can thrive irrespective of their religious beliefs. This notion should be taken into account when evaluating the efficacy of the administration.

As both leaders navigate complex political terrains, it is essential to recognize that their administration seeks to embody a spirit of unity, promoting peace and collaboration amongst varied sectors of the population. The partnership between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima is not only enduring but also transformative.

Critics and naysayers may attempt to dismantle this alliance through speculation and unfounded allegations, yet the evidence supports a different narrative—one of resilience, unity, and a shared vision for Nigeria’s future. While the opposition may continue their machinations, the focus must remain on the substantive work that both leaders are undertaking in service to their country.

This partnership, built on strength, mutual respect, and a profound understanding of Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, is poised to remain intact and fruitful until at least 2031. Ours is a time for action, partnership, and unwavering commitment to the ideals that will propel Nigeria towards a brighter future.

Hon. Yusuf Adamu, writes from Maiduguri

2027: Vice President Kashim Shettima Standing Tall Amidst Misguided Oppositions

WEF 2026: VP Shettima Commissions First Ever Nigerian Pavillion In Davos

Says Nigeria House, Davos, reflects nation’s renewed resolve to contribute to global econonic conversations

Launches publications on investment opportunities in solid minerals, agriculture, creative, digital sectors

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said the opening of Nigeria House in Davos reflects the country’s renewed seriousness, readiness, and resolve to take its place as an active participant in shaping global economic conversations.

He observed that while nations do not prosper in isolation, Nigeria’s future growth depends on deliberate, structured engagement with the global economy.

Senator Shettima stated this on Monday during the formal opening of the Nigeria House at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

According to the VP, Nigeria marked a historic milestone in its global economic engagement with the official opening of its House at the WEF 2026.

“This day is extraordinary in the history of our engagements at this beautiful meeting point of global political leadership, policy thinkers, and corporate enterprise. For the first time in our nation’s history, Nigeria stands at Davos with a sovereign pavilion of its own.

“Nigeria House is a response to the lapses of the past. It reflects our intention. It reflects our seriousness. Above all, it advertises both our readiness and our resolve to take a front-line seat in the discourse of the global economy, not as observers, but as participants with a clear sense of purpose and place,” he stated.

The Vice President pointed out that even though “Nigeria House may have been conceived as a whole-of-government platform, led by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, with senior leadership across investment, foreign affairs, energy, infrastructure, technology, climate, and culture gathered under one roof,” the true essence of the House must come from the private sector.

“Government can open doors, create frameworks, and de-risk environments; only enterprise can animate growth, scale opportunity, and translate policy into productivity. This House will thrive to the extent that it draws life from private capital, private innovation, and private confidence,” he maintained.

VP Shettima explained that the dividends of the Tinubu administration’s reforms are beginning to materialize, noting that “our decision to open up to the world more deliberately comes at a turning point in our economic journey.

“The dividends of the difficult but inevitable reforms of recent years are beginning to show,” he added, recalling that in 2025, Nigeria’s economy expanded by about 3.9 per cent, the fastest pace recorded in over a decade, driven largely by a resilient non-oil economy that now accounts for roughly 96 per cent of GDP.

The VP continued: “Services, agriculture, finance, and technology are expanding, while non-oil revenues now make up nearly three-quarters of government collections, marking a structural shift away from oil dependence.

“Inflation, which stood above 30 per cent in late 2024, eased significantly by the end of 2025, and external buffers have improved, with foreign reserves rising above 45 billion dollars and greater stability in the foreign exchange market.”

He invited the international business community to leverage the platform created through the Nigeria House project, noting that “Nigeria is open for business, but more importantly, Nigeria is open for collaboration.”

VP Shettima assured that the Nigeria House will host conversations that must have to move the nation and the global community forward.

“We are here to learn from you just as much as we are here to inform you of the opportunities that await in Nigeria. Progress is not a monologue; it is a dialogue,” he further stated.

Earlier, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, applauded the support of Vice President Shettima for the realisation of the historical vision for Nigeria House, Davos, acknowledging his disposition and encouragement in the project.

She said the project demonstrates a strong Public Private Partnership and reflects the rejuvenation of the Nigerian economy, showcasing a unique sense of national pride and a shift from how Nigeria engages with the rest of the world, especially the international business community.

Highlighting the gains of President Tinubu’s economic reforms as incentives for private sector investment, Dr Oduwole said Nigeria, under the current dispensation, is rebuilding trust, restoring credibility and positioning itself as the global centre for wealth creation strategic partnership.

She noted that the playbooks being launched at the event is part of a broad strategy to leverage Nigeria’s potentials in the solid minerals, climate sustainable agriculture, creative, digital sectors.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr Faruk Yusuf Yano, outlined major interventions and initiatives undertaken by the administration of President Tinubu in the solid minerals and related sectors, aimed at diversifying and reforming the Nigerian economy.

He said Nigeria House, Davos, represents a deliberate action to consolidate the gains of President Tinubu’s economic transformation efforts through high level engagements targeted at attracting investments in Nigeria’s non-oil sector.

He also advocated fair treatment for emerging markets in the areas of access to finance and secured global supply chain network.

On her part, the Lead Execution Partner, Nigeria House, Davos, Omowunmi Imoukhuede, emphasised that Nigeria House represents a rare opportunity to tell stories about Nigeria’s unique investment potentials.

Preceeding the formal opening of the Nigeria House, Davos, is a Global Business Roundtable focused on building a resilient supply chain network for the Energy Transition.

Also present at the event were Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Ude; Minister of Foreign Affiars, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; heads of government agencies, and captains of industry, among others.

WEF 2026: VP Shettima Commissions First Ever Nigerian Pavillion In Davos

AT FIRST NEC OF THE YEAR

Council Moves To Boost Non-oil Revenue, Deepen Engagement With Stakeholders

Cross River Governor Chairs Bi-Partisan Committee On Legacy Projects

VP Shettima: Agriculture, other non-oil sectors, increasingly bearing Nigeria’s revenue weight

By: Our Reporter

The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to deepen engagement with stakeholders to boost non-oil revenues in line with the economic blueprint of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This is just as Chairman of the Council, Vice President Kashim Shettima called for accelerated transition from oil to non-oil economy through competitive manufacturing, export diversification, and private sector investment.

The Council has also approved the constitution of a Committee on the implementation of the President’s directive on the actualisation of the legacy projects.

The committee is chaired by the Governor of Cross River State while one governor from each sub-region will serve as member of the committee as follows: North West (Sokoto), North East (Gombe), North Central (Niger), South East (Abia), and South West (Lagos).

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh, shall serve as Secretary, while the Ministers of Works and Trasnportation will also serve on the committee.

NEC’s decision, taken on Thursday during its 156th meeting and first of the year which washeld virtually, followed a presentation on the economic priorities for 2026 by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

The presentation highlighted key reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration, including targeted programmes that have removed distortions in the system, stabilised the economy and put Nigeria on the path of sustained recovery and prosperity.

The presentation also reflected the country’s current global recognition, which is reinforcing investor confidence in the economy projected to grow at 4.68% in 2026.

The key priorities according to the Minister, include maintaining Nigeria’s economic competitiveness through sound governance, improved availability and affordability of food, ensuring human capital development with improved social protection and timely payment of debt service, salaries and pensions.

In its resolution, NEC noted and commended the Federal Government’s plans to unlock rapid and sustained job-rich growth, high-quality jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Council also resolved to dedicate a special session to address salient issues raised in the country’s food security efforts, particularly issues bothering on agricultural productivity.

In his opening remarks, Vice President Shettima observed that while “global powers assert their interests with renewed confidence, commodity markets will remain volatile,” with oil prices, exchange rates, and capital flows frustrating the nation’s policies.

He noted that the current economic reality has reinforced the urgency of fiscal risk management and the need to reduce the nation’s economic and revenue exposure to oil.

According to him, the non-oil economy has emerged as the backbone of Nigeria’s growth story, accounting for about 96 per cent of the country’s GDP and is expanding at about 4 per cent.

“Services, agriculture, and other non-oil sectors are increasingly carrying the weight of the economy. More importantly, non-oil revenues now contribute nearly three-quarters of total government collections.

“This marks a significant, if gradual, departure from our historic dependence on volatile oil receipts. The task before us is to deepen this transition through competitive manufacturing, export diversification, and private sector investment,” he said.

VP Shettima who is Chairman of NEC acknowledged that while it was the first meeting of the Council for the year 2026, the consequences of the choices made last year demand coherence, courage, and consistency in the new year.

“This moment in our journey calls for neither triumphalism nor despair. What it calls for is perspective. The Nigerian economy has travelled a difficult road over the past year, but it has not travelled it without progress,” he pointed out.

Noting that the nation’s economy witnessed significant growth in 2025, Senator Shettima attributed the rapid growth to the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His words: In 2025, our economy expanded by 3.9 per cent, the fastest rate of growth in over a decade. Quarter by quarter, this momentum was evident: growth strengthened from 3.13 per cent in the first quarter to 4.23 per cent in the second, before settling at 3.98 per cent in the third.

“This is the outcome of hard decisions taken in difficult circumstances, and this is not a surprise with a visionary like His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leading the charge.”

The Vice President said, however, that acceleration of economic growth must not be confused with adequacy, observing that “a growth rate of 3.9 per cent, while encouraging, is not sufficient to decisively reduce poverty, generate jobs at the scale our population demands, or lift per capita incomes in a way that ordinary Nigerians can feel.

“With population growth at about 2.6 per cent annually, this rate of expansion leaves us with little room to absorb inflationary pressures or external shocks. Our ambition, therefore, must be higher,” he added.

Highlights of other deliberations and resolutions at the NEC meeting are as follows:

UPDATE ON ACCOUNT BALANCES AS AT 14th January 2026

The Accountant-General of the Federation gave update to Council on the under listed accounts as follows:

Excess Crude Account $535,823.39

Stabilization Account N64,652,693,552.36

Natural Resources Account N97,369,382,081.96

BRIEF ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR DIRECTIVES TO THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL (NEC) ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF LAGOS-CALABAR AND SOKOTO-BADAGRY HIGHWAYS

Council was briefed on the level of implementation of Mr. President’s directive concerning the Lagos-Calabar and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highways, in accordance with the Administration’s Agenda.

In the report, Council was called to note that the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR addressed the National Economic Council (NEC) during the 150th (3rd in 2025) meeting held on Thursday, 31st July 2025 where he underscored the need to properly manage the setbacks along the highways to create some form of investments/economic activities.

Flowing from the above, the NEC Secretariat interfaced with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Cabinet Office) on the assignment and was informed that the process had commenced, and is being overseen by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Similarly, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation has been moved to the Presidency in compliance with Mr. President’s directive.

PRAYER

Council is invited to note the level of implementation of Mr. President’s directive on setting up a committee for actualization of the administration’s legacy projects especially the Lagos-Calabar and the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highways and the movement of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation from the Federal Ministry of Works to the Presidency.

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

The Council constituted a Presidential NEC Committee on the implementation of the President’s directive.

The committee is chaired by the Governor of Cross River State while one governor from each sub-region will serve as member of the committee, namely: North West (Sokoto), North East (Gombe), North Central (Niger), South East (Abia), and South West (Lagos).

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget shall serve as Secretary, while the Ministers of Works and Trasnportation will also serve on the committee.

PRESENTATION ON THE NEW WORLD BANK-NIGERIA COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK

In the World Bank Group briefing to Council on Partnership Framework Consultations (CPF), the presentation outlined how the World Bank Group supports Nigeria’s development goals.

It emphasized the shifts towards national programmes implemented at the state level (two-thirds of the active portfolio) and result-based financing (half of the active portfolio), all aimed to achieve impact at scale through fewer, but larger national programmes.

The presentation also talked about the First 2,000 days which includes: Securing Nigeria’s Future; Investing in Stunting Reduction and Early Childhood Development, among others.

The presentation also highlighted what needs to be done when the window for early cognitive development is missed, and when it is too late for recovery.

The WBG also set agenda for 2026 as follows:

January 2026: Agree to the development of a national, state-driven Early Years program under the HCD 2.0 Strategy of the National Economic Council.

January 2026: Nominate an HCD focal person and a senior Budget official to serve as State Early Years leads for engagement.

January – June 2026: Support a diagnostic and multisector dialogue process with your teams to emerge state-wise investment plans. (Immediate)
Immediate: Signal willingness to align budgets and MTSS with the emerging Early Years priorities.

The presentation advised that to move into the group of richer nations, we need to invest in Nigeria’s human capital.

NIGERIA’S SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL VALUE-CHAINS FOR GROWTH (AGROW)

The presentation also highlighted agricultural value-chains to include the following:

$500M Results-Based Program: AGROW introduces a unified national platform tied to measurable outcomes, ensuring accountability and performance-driven implementation.

Co-Created with States & Private Sector: Designed collaboratively by MDAs, state governments, private companies, and development partners to ensure ownership and long-term sustainability, among others.

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

Council lauded the proposed World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework consultations, which, among other aims, are targeted at investing in young Nigerian children, thereby delivering early results for Nigeria’s children and the future of work.

NEC resolved to take the lead in efforts to work with the World Bank in implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, having shown the capacity to effectively channel local and foreign resources.
Council committed to providing institutional support and commitment to the World Bank’s proposed framework for Nigeria.

UPDATE ON NIGERIA’S TAX REFORM LAWS PRESENTED BY PRESIDENTIAL FISCAL POLICY AND TAX REFORMS COMMITTEE

Update was presented to Council on Tax Reform. It stated that the reform is to address inequity and promote shared prosperity, a broken tax system, fragmented and complex, unconducive for growth, regressive, high burden on Nigerians & businesses.

The committee gave an overview of the entire tax framework with its priorities, targets, challenges and opportunities for economic transformation.

Council directed the committee to prepare a more comprehensive brief for presentation at NEC’s forthcoming conference in February to prepare the sub-nationals for the robust implementation of the tax laws across the country.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRAYERS

We seek the support of states for effective implementation

1. Political leadership to support the tax reform
2. Enactment of Tax Harmonisation Law by states
3. Adoption of presumptive tax regime for informal sector
4. Resourcing of state internal revenue service to improve capacity for administration
5. Approval of National Fiscal Policy

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

Council resolved to take a more robust engagement on the new tax regime at its forthcoming conference in February.

AT FIRST NEC OF THE YEAR