VP SHETTIMA AT NES ANNUAL CONFERENCE: President Tinubu’s Bold Reforms, Proof Of Political Will In Economic Policy

*Says, Africa can turn supply chain disruptions, trade protectionism, into opportunities for economic transformation

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said the courageous and unavoidable reforms being undertaken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which are currently fixing Nigeria’s structural weaknesses, are a proof of the power of political will in economic policy.

Accordingly, he called on African nations to embrace the knowledge economy, saying it is a bridge to transform the continent’s economic growth and development through productivity beyond outdated explanations.

The Vice President who stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during the opening session of the 66th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) noted that while Nigeria is not immune to the economic morass Africa had long been enmeshed in, the nation’s comforting prospect is that it currently has a President with a listening ear.

“Nigeria is, of course, not exempt from Africa’s economic tragedies. But our silver lining is the listening ear of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Under his leadership, this administration has embarked on bold and inevitable reforms to address structural weaknesses that others before us only paid lip service to.

“These reforms testify to the power of political will in economic policy. Their painful but necessary consequences remind us that a malignant disease can only be cured by painful surgery. The wounds are temporary, but the recovery is permanent,” he stated.

VP Shettima stressed the need for African nations to get rid of the old-fashioned approach to their economy and embrace structural transformation if they must revive human capital challenges and reverse unemployment on the continent.

He said, “We live in a world where a random citizen in Daura can outsource his services to a corporation in Dallas without seeing the inside of a plane or leaving his bedroom. But to catch up with this changing world, Africa must embrace structural transformation that reinvents its human capital and reverses unemployment.

“Poverty must be confronted head-on for the promise of this continent to be realised in the lives of our people. There is no justification for the low per capita income that afflicts our nations amidst the resources at our disposal.”

Senator Shettima observed that though “geopolitical conflicts, trade protectionism, supply chain disruptions, the energy transition, and the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence” may all seem like a threat to the continent’s economy, they are opportunities in disguise.

“They all paint a gloomy outlook. But each threat is also an opportunity in disguise. This is why a society such as yours exists: to light the path of a continent even in the darkest night,” he explained, just as he pointed out it is the mandate that the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Economic Society has been given “to find new pathways to solutions,” while the nation awaits the recommendations.

The Vice President noted while the Tinubu administration did not claim the ongoing reforms would be easy, it has always acknowledged the inflationary impact of the reforms as well as the “spillovers from global crises into our economy,” which explains why President Tinubu “has remained committed to investment-friendly measures and social protection programmes to cushion the vulnerable.

“Policies in transportation, healthcare, and education have been deliberately targeted at reducing inequality because these are the sectors that affect the weakest among us,” he added.

The VP commended the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju and his team for challenging the nation “to reflect on what decades of policy failures and vulnerabilities to global risks have created for Africa.

“I urge all participants to take their role in this conference not as a scholarly exercise but as a continental and national assignment—one expected to salvage Africa’s economies from their fragile status,” he further stated.

Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, applauded VP Shettima’s significant contributions in the realization of the economic reforms of administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Bagudu assured the NES that it will be fully integrated in all of the ministry’s programmes, especially the preparation and implementation of the development plan and the recently approved Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme.

Also, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, presented potentials in Nigeria’s livestock sector, estimated at several billions of dollars, offering opportunities for economic diversification.

The Minister expressed readiness to partner with the NES to brainstorm on the “brilliant ideas” needed to implement President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the livestock sector, which he described as “the next crude oil.”

For his part, the President of the NES, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju reiterated the society’s commitment to collaborating with the Tinubu administration to actualise the goal of genuine economic transformation and national development.

He said the NES under his leadership has undertaken reforms aimed at repositioning the body to act as “a bridge between research and policy, a centre for mentoring the next generation of economists, and a trusted partner in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable development and Africa’s transformation.”

Highlighting the milestones of his administration, Prof. Adenikinju said under his watch, the NES “established chapters in the across 36 states, FCT and the Diaspora, to ensure national reach and grassroots engagement; Created the NES Women’s Wing and Students’ Wing, to broaden inclusivity and representation,” among others.

He added that the reforms have transformed the society into a modern, inclusive, and globally connected professional body while preserving its core identity as Nigeria’s foremost economic think-tank.

On his part, the Director of the African Development Institute, Dr. Eric Kehinde Ogunleye said the African Development Bank remains committed to the development of Africa and Nigeria, even as he stated that “Nigeria occupies a strategic position in moving the African continent forward.”

Ogunleye commended the Tinubu administration for its bold reforms aimed at achieving structural and economic transformation as well as inclusive growth.

Charging the audience regarding investing in people, he advised: “Let us rethink how we invest in people because these are the people who represent the greatest assets of the continent.”

Other dignitaries who graced the event include the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua; Chairman of the Ministry of the Board of Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr Shamsudeen Usman, Nigeria’s first Professor of Capital Market Studies, Uche Uwaleke; representatives of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso.

VP SHETTIMA AT NES ANNUAL CONFERENCE: President Tinubu’s Bold Reforms, Proof Of Political Will In Economic Policy

NSCDC Launches Manhunt for Killers of 8 Operatives

By: Michael Mike

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Audi has launched a Special Intelligence Squad operations to comb the entire Edo Forest and arrest killers of eight of his men, and rescue the kidnapped Chinese expatriate.

The NSCDC Operatives were ambushed last Friday night at Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State while on duty to ensure the safeguarding of Critical Infrastructure and protection of lives and property at the BUA Cement Company in Edo State.

It was reported that the gallant Operatives fought vehemently in a three hour gun duel where eight men were lost with four expatriates working at the quarry session of the Company rescued.

The Commandant General had earlier commended the resilience, diligence and dedication of the NSCDC men who paid the supreme price and lost their lives in the unexpected ambush attack.

However, a joint guard operation with other security agencies and deployment of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad,Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT), Special Protection Units, amongst others, to be headed by the Commandant, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, CC Dandaura Appollos,have been deployed to the area with an express order to effect possible arrest, rescue the kidnapped expatriate, and consequently bring the perpetrators to book.

The CG also appealed to the public to kindly aid the Corps with any useful information that will assist in tracking down the perpetrators.

He also assured that the security of the BUA Company environment has been upscaled to ensure adequate protection of all Indigenous workers, the Expatriates and the critical assets and infrastructures.

He said: “The Corps will not succumb to any form of threats or be deterred by the activities of subversive elements and evil perpetrators who carried out the heinous attack but rather be focused and re-strategize in discharging its statutory mandates.”

He further noted that the Corps will continue to engage the community in civil relations as a non kinetic approach to tackling the overwhelming security challenges and any other form of crisis in the area.

NSCDC Launches Manhunt for Killers of 8 Operatives

UK Announces £19 million Funding for Climate Resilient, Health, Education Facilities in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom (UK) Government has announced a £19 million funding commitment to develop Climate Resilient health and education facilities in Nigeria.

The announcement was made at a joint inauguration by the UK Government, Federal Ministry of Health, the Governments of Kano and Jigawa States and UNICEF, of 84 climate-resilient schools and health care facilities under the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) initiative.

CRIBS is a pioneering and innovative new approach to protect essential health and education services from the growing threats of climate change. This was developed through a partnership which included: UK government, Government of Nigeria, State Governments and international and local organisations including: UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agents UK Lafiya Programme and Sextant Foundation.

Nigeria ranks second globally in climate-related risks to children, with millions affected annually by floods, droughts, and extreme heat. In response, the CRIBS approach has been developed to assess and strengthen Health and Education facilities. So far, 84 facilities, 39 primary healthcare centres and 45 schools in Kano and Jigawa, have been renovated through targeted climate adaptation measures.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the inauguration of these facilities marks a significant milestone in demonstrating low cost, scalable, community-owned solutions to climate vulnerability that can be adopted by the Federal and state governments. The events included ribbon-cutting ceremonies, site visits, and media engagements, showcasing how climate-resilient infrastructure can protect essential health and education services which save lives and support children’s education.

Head of Development Cooperation, British High Commission Abuja, Cynthia Rowe, said: “The UK Government is proud to support the Government of Nigeria through this £19m commitment to the CRIBS programme. This work has been developed through a partnership of organisations and experts including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the UK Government, UNICEF, World Bank, World Health Organization, Sextant Foundation, JigSaw, Fab Inc, Crown Agent and UK Lafiya Programme. CRIBS demonstrates how climate-resilient infrastructure can improve access to basic services for vulnerable populations. We hope this model inspires broader replication across Nigeria.”

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, said: “This initiative is a testament to what strong partnerships can achieve,” added “By investing in climate-smart infrastructure, we are not only protecting services but also empowering communities to safeguard their children’s future. CRIBS is a model for how we can build resilience where it matters most, at the frontline of service delivery.”

According to the statement, the inauguration aligns with national and state priorities in climate action, health, and education, and reflects the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to mitigate climate risks and improve service delivery.

CRIBS: was launched in April 2024, lfunded by FCDO, the UK Government, and developed through a partnership approach from a range of Nigeria Government and international organisations and experts. The main implementing partner has been UNICEF. CRIBS is a comprehensive and systematic approach to developing affordable, high impact and scalable models of climate-resilient infrastructure for basic services, with a focus on vulnerable communities. Based on the successful implementation of the approach in Kano and Jigawa States, the initiative is being expanded to include Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Katsina states.

UK Announces £19 million Funding for Climate Resilient, Health, Education Facilities in Nigeria