National News
NEC Okays New Textile Dev. Board, $90B Agribusiness, Livestock Development Plan

NEC Okays New Textile Dev. Board, $90B Agribusiness, Livestock Development Plan
** Observes one minute’s silence for victims of Benue, Plateau attacks
*** We’re architects of a sustainable future, not mere responders to crises, VP Shettima tells council members
By: Our Reporter
To reposition Nigeria’s economy and tackle insecurity at its roots, the National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the establishment of a Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board, alongside new strategies for agribusiness expansion and livestock transformation projected to generate up to $90 billion in economic value by 2035.
Other initiatives approved by council included the establishment of the Green Imperative Project (GIP) national office in Abuja and regional offices across the six geopolitical zones, as well as addressing the crises fuelled by the current system of animal husbandry in the country.

At its 149th NEC meeting held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, NEC also observed a minute of silence for victims of the recent killings in Benue and Plateau States, while expressing its condolences for the people and governments of the affected states.
NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with Governors of the 36 states of the federation, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Minister of Finance, and other co-opted government officials as members, approved the proposal for the establishment of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board.
As the regulatory body for the cotton, textile and garment sector of Nigeria, the Board will have governors representing the six geo-political zones, with Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Budget and Economic Planning, and Industry, Trade and Investment as members.
The board, when set up, will be domiciled in the Presidency, private sector-driven, with representation of the relevant public sector stakeholders, and funded from the Textile Import Levy being collected by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
NEC also approved the establishment of the Green Imperative Project (GIP) national office in Abuja and regional offices across the six geopolitical zones, as well as the request for support for the formal launch of the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism.
Addressing issues of empowerment and food security, Vice President Shettima implored members of the Council to be courageous in taking decisions, saying they must “resist the temptation of grand rhetoric and embrace the hard work of reform.
“The nation is watching. Our citizens are not waiting for another speech. They are waiting for results. This Council must remain a meeting point of ideas that move the nation forward. Let us rise above partisan interests and regional divisions and focus on what truly matters—building a nation that delivers for all,” he stated.

VP Shettima reminded members that they were not at the council meeting as a mere routine but by “the resolve to confront the pressing realities that define the lives” of the Nigerian people”, even as he urged them not to just respond to crises, but work as architects of a sustainable future for the nation.
He stated: “Governance, in truth, is not the theatre of promises. It is the solemn business of fulfilment. Today, as always, we are not here to admire the beauty of policy design but to ensure the substance of its execution.
“The task before us is monumental, but it is not unfamiliar. At our last meeting, we launched bold initiatives and reawakened our sense of duty to the nation. Today, we return with even greater clarity about what lies ahead. We must always bear in mind that we are not merely responders to crises. We are architects of a sustainable future.”
On the establishment of a Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board, the Vice President said it aligns with the economic revival agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recalling that the initiative “is a call to resuscitate a sector that once clothed the people and powered the nation’s economy.
Nigeria is a nation where cotton can thrive in 34 states. Yet our production level remains a fraction of our potential. We currently produce only 13,000 metric tons, while we continue to import textiles worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This is not just an economic imbalance. It is an invitation to act,” he added.
Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board, according to him, will be funded by the textile import levy and will have a presence in all geopolitical zones in the country.
“Our goal is not just regulation. It is a revival. This is our opportunity to re-industrialise, to empower communities, and to restore pride in local production,” he explained.
On strengthening the nation’s food security, the Vice President said even though it is a vital follow-up to the Nutrition 774 Initiative, it is also basically about building an inclusive, efficient and sustainable national food economy.
“We are building a national food economy that is inclusive, efficient and sustainable,” he noted.
VP Shettima maintained that deliberations by NEC must inspire action, deepen unity and uplift the lives of the citizens, and to actualise this, he pushed for the consideration of a “field visit by the NEC Implementation Monitoring Committee.
“This is a critical step in bridging the gap between policy and performance. Our people do not evaluate us by the elegance of our policies, but by the evidence of their impact,” he added.
Other highlights of the meeting are as follows:
UPDATES ON ACCOUNT BALANCES
The Accountant-General of the Federation gave an update to Council on the under-listed accounts as follows:
- EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA), Balance as at April 2025 – $473,754.57
- STABILISATION ACCOUNT, Balance as at April 2025 – N63,535,835,786.60
- NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT, Balance as at April 2025 – N72,858,962,913.29
PRESENTATION ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO EQUIP 5 MILLION YOUTH WITH INCOME-GENERATING, INDUSTRY-RELEVANT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS BY 2030
The presentation by the Honourable Minister of Education informed the Council that the National Council on Skills had, at its last meetings, chaired by the Vice President, resolved to strengthen and streamline skills development efforts across the country, through the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) initiative.
Council was informed that the TVET system will comprehensively transform skilled education to deliver quality and consistency across all levels. Through a standardised framework that ensures all training programs are properly accredited and certified in a seamless and orderly manner, supported by modernised colleges, an industry-relevant curriculum, sustainable funding and a strong governance structure.
Council was informed that the coordinated and integrated initiative will integrate partnerships with all MDAs, sub-national governments and the private sector.
Council lauded the federal government’s strong commitment to TVET by integrating skills development into national education policies and budgetary allocations.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
Council approved key recommendations in the presentation and urged State governors to take advantage of emerging opportunities under the new initiative to train and mentor youths in digital education and skill acquisition to add value to their lives.
Considering the benefits of the programme on job creation and youth empowerment, States were advised to also fully participate in the programme irrespective of political affiliations.

PRESENTATION ON NIGERIA LIVESTOCK GROWTH ACCELERATION STRATEGY BY THE MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT
The purpose of the presentation is to present the strategy of the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) to the National Economic Council. The strategy is inherited and built on the National Livestock Transformation Plan, NLTP (2018 – 2028), which was focused on modernising Nigeria’s livestock sector, with an emphasis on cattle ranching and peacebuilding.
The strategy is also built on the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), refined and extended to transform the sector into an intentional jobs, wealth, exports, and tax / IGR engine.
The presentation projected that the strategy will build a $74B – $90B sector by 2035 in direct partnership between States, the private sector, and foreign investors, under a sound federal regulatory umbrella.
Investments in the programme will prioritise 5 key pillars between 2025-2026. These critical areas of focus include Animal Health and Zoonoses Control, Feed and Fodder Development, and Water Resources Management.
Others are on Statistics & Information Systems and Breed Improvement initiatives as essential components of comprehensive Livestock Value Chain Development across the country.
Council considered several prayers related to livestock development initiatives in Nigeria. The first set of requests included formally endorsing FMLD’s inheritance of NLTP, its strategic priorities and associated implementing assets; transferring to FMLD the prior committed N100 billion in resources approved by NEC to support industry modernization; creating counterpart State Ministries of Livestock Development as appropriate; and gaining access to the pool of technical support and expertise available at the Federal Ministry, particularly for animal health support and disease eradication.
Additionally, the Council reviewed proposals to work together in delivering public good investments critical to transforming Nigeria into a red meat exporter with access to key Middle East and Asian markets. This included partnering with FMLD to attract private investors to the States as well as strengthening existing ones to build an IGR source, national job growth, and export engine.
The final considerations focused on collaboration with the NL-GAS Office to domesticate the new strategy and key into the growing pool of investor engagement. There was also discussion about partnering with sub-nationals to identify key areas of investment priority and positioning on the value chain accordingly via State Investment Companies to generate IGR and jobs.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION:
Council deliberated and endorsed key recommendations of the presentation, especially the focus on addressing the crises fuelled by the current system of animal husbandry in the country.
Council also urged active participation of the sub-nationals and the private sector in operationalising the priorities of the Ministry’s presentation on modern livestock production.
NEC Okays New Textile Dev. Board, $90B Agribusiness, Livestock Development Plan
National News
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution

VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting

Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
National News
Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People

Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People
…. Donates relief materials to displaced persons in Yelwata, IDP camp
By: Michael Mike
Former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has charged former governors, legislators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Benue state to set aside rivalry, unite and act with urgency to save their people from incessant attacks and killings.
Waziri, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and Principal Partner, Brookfield Chambers Abuja stated this on Saturday 28th June 2025 while donating relief materials to victims of the recent gunmen attacks in Yelwata community and displaced persons at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Some of the items donated under the banner of Women, Youth, Children and Crime Organisation (WYCCO), a non-governmental organization founded by her, include: bags of rice, sugar, tubers of yam and other household items.

She said: “This is no time for division. It is no time for political squabbling or ego-driven manoeuvring. Among us are men and women who have led this state — former governors, legislators, traditional rulers — individuals with influence and authority. The time has come to set aside our differences and stand united, for the sake of the ordinary Benue man, woman, and child.
“That is why I stand here today to make this urgent and heartfelt appeal to our leaders: cast aside rivalry, unite, and act. Act with urgency. Act with purpose. Because what we face now increasingly resembles a deliberate, coordinated effort to erase our people and our heritage.
“We must take heed of the words of Sir Winston Churchill, who once said:
‘Our difficulties and dangers will not be removed by closing our eyes to them.’
Another of Churchill’s warnings is just as relevant to our present predicament:
‘If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed… you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.”
Waziri, while stating that her call was a build up to the earlier proposal by President Bola Tinubu during his recent visit Beforehand Benue, noted that meetings alone would not solve the problem, urging that: “But let us be sincere: peace will not come from meetings alone. To end the cycle of violence, we must confront its roots. Before the Yelwata massacre, communities in Gwer West, Apa, and Guma had already endured weeks of killings, kidnappings, and raids. These horrors did not emerge in a vacuum; they are symptoms of deeper issues.
“We must therefore confront the real causes — ethnic and religious tensions, unchecked banditry, and the rise of cultism as well as the abuse of illicit drugs. These forces must be tackled, along with the herder-farmer conflict, with honesty and courage. We cannot afford to keep going in circles. And there is no room for blame games. Our leaders — and indeed, all of us — must be pragmatic. So today, let us commit, as one people, to healing our wounds, reclaiming our land, and ensuring that never again will a child in Benue grow up in a camp instead of a home”
She said the development in Benue must be of “concern to all sons and daughters of Benue regardless of whether we live within its borders or far away in the diaspora to find out the root cause of these attacks with a view to proferring solutions that will bring an end to these barbaric acts”
Farida Waziri Tasks Benue Leaders to Unite, Act and Save Their People
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