*NEC approves ward-based development programme, urges Federal-State synergy
By Obaike Odihue
President Bola Tinubu on Thursady urged state governors to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government to ensure that the economic reforms currently underway translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians at the grassroots level.
This charge was the highlight of deliberations at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, the Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said President Tinubu’s intervention brought renewed focus and momentum to the Council’s development agenda.
According to Uzodimma, the President acknowledged improved government revenue, spurred by key reforms, but stressed that the real test lies in delivering measurable impact to communities nationwide.
“We acknowledged Mr. President’s efforts in driving increased revenue generation and the positive results already being recorded,” he said.
“But the real challenge now is how this additional income will improve the lives of people at the grassroots,” UOdinma added.
In response, President Tinubu introduced a new initiative, the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Programme, aimed at stimulating inclusive development across Nigeria’s 8,809 political wards.
Governor Uzodimma explained that the programme is designed to decentralize development, empower local communities, promote entrepreneurship, and create jobs directly within local economies.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who also addressed the press, said the initiative was unanimously adopted by the Council as a tripartite framework involving federal, state, and local governments.
“The programme will target at least 1,000 economically active individuals per ward,” Bagudu explained.
“It will channel resources to promote productivity, reduce poverty, enhance security, and unlock community-level growth.”
The programme, he added, will be anchored by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which will serve as its national secretariat. Implementation will be supported by increased revenues in the Federation Account, with other funding windows being explored.
Bagudu described the initiative as a “historic step” in localising economic transformation, in keeping with President Tinubu’s directive to “cascade reform dividends down to the grassroots.”
He also cited the 2025 IMF Article IV Consultation Report, which praised Nigeria’s recent fiscal and monetary reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and improved revenue collection, as critical steps that have stabilized the economy.
According to him, the next phase must prioritize grassroots investment and human capital development.
Governor Uzodimma also revealed that the President raised concern about environmental challenges threatening key infrastructure, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Tinubu called for greater alignment between federal and state agencies to avoid disruptions.
A harmonisation committee has been proposed, comprising the Minister of Environment, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, and representatives of the states, to address such coordination gaps.
“Mr. President’s briefing today strengthened our morale and gave clear direction. The emphasis is now on translating reforms into visible change at the community level,” Uzodimma said.
In a related development, NEC deliberated on Nigeria’s increasing vulnerability to climate-related disasters, particularly floods and extreme weather events.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the Council directed state governments to strengthen their emergency response systems as part of the 2025 national disaster preparedness plan.
The meeting featured a presentation by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who unveiled the new National Disaster Relief and Response Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2027), developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Key updates from NEMA included the following:
* Nationwide hazard and risk analysis in partnership with UNICEF;
* Memoranda of Understanding with security and humanitarian agencies, including the Police, NSCDC, and Red Cross;
* Collaboration with six universities offering disaster risk management courses;
* Activation of Emergency Operations Centres across all states since May 29, and ;
* Pre-positioning of emergency equipment in high-risk states.
Edun also noted NEMA’s expanded public outreach campaign, aimed at increasing community awareness and early warning.
However, he identified persistent challenges, including: Poor drainage infrastructure, Delayed data sharing from states, Security issues in vulnerable areas, Weak enforcement of planning laws and building codes.
“Disaster management is a shared responsibility,” Edun said.
“States must empower their emergency agencies, establish local response committees, and enforce planning and environmental laws.”
He confirmed that NEC had approved continued federal funding support for the Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, Budget and Economic Planning, and NEMA.
States and the FCT will also receive allocations to bolster flood preparedness.
