By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Monday restated his expectation that the National Economic Council conference would produce actionable resolutions on ranching, livestock investment, and agricultural diversification.
Speaking while declaring open a two-day NEC conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President linked the imperative for livestock sector transformation to national security, describing banditry and terrorism as economic hindrances requiring immediate solutions.
“I’m confident that the resolution of this conference will include dairy farming, livestock investment, ranches and diversification of our agricultural produce. I promise you here, I will play my part. I promise Nigeria that this will be delivered,” Tinubu said.
The President’s remarks are coming on the heels of his earlier directive to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC on December 10, 2025 to develop a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry through ranching as a lasting solution to persistent farmer-herder conflicts.
“We must eliminate these areas of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” the President had said at the FEC meeting.
Following that directive, the NEC at its 155th meeting held on December 18, 2025, inaugurated a Livestock Development Committee chaired by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, with representatives from all six geopolitical zones, to fast-track nationwide ranching and livestock production reforms.
At Monday’s conference, Tinubu also pledged further commitment to strengthening security forces to defeat terrorism and banditry, which he said had kept Nigerians sleepless.
“To further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry, that I promise you is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you that we will win with determination and resilience,” he said.
He described banditry and terrorism as foreign to Nigerian culture and unacceptable, adding, “It is an economic hindrance if we do not find immediate solution to it.”
He thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima for steering the council in what he called intellectual deliberations in the past three years.
The President also commended several state governors, particularly those of Borno and Katsina states, for their efforts in defending freedom, liberty, and the commonwealth.
“I commend a few many of you, particularly the governor of Borno State, Katsina, many of you who have done so much to defend our freedom, liberty and our commonwealth,” he said.
Vice President Shettima is presiding over the conference convened by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, under the theme ‘Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.’
The conference is expected to address pressing macroeconomic priorities including fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation, and shared development strategies between federal and state governments.
State governors, top government officials, development partners, and private-sector leaders are participating as the Federal Government works to deepen its reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NEC, Vice President Kassim Shettima, note that what what has kept the National Economic Council alive and relevant as a representative of this union “is our shared awareness of what is a step if we fail”
Continuing, he said, “So on this day, as I have always done, I must express my deepest gratitude to all members of this council, our governors, our public administrations, and every stakeholder who has insisted on keeping our collective pointers awake.
“The National Economic Council is not only the largest governing of elected executives and the highest level of government in this nation. It is a forum that gives its constituent units of this Federation a voice in session”.
According to him, NEC has been born the new that reflects our national realities and the catalyst that propels action. We are gathered here because we understand, perhaps more than anyone else, the constituencies of Taylor.
This conference, he further noted “‘is a continuation of our covenant with the Nigerian people, a moment to take stock of the task ahead, and a demonstration of the harmonious relationship His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has shared with this council through these memorable years of transformative reforms aimed at reshaping the foundations of our economy. It is for me a profound honour to welcome you all to yet another moment in the making of history”.
In his welcome address, the minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu noted that NEC is a vital constitutional advisory body to Mr. President, chaired by the Vice President, but it is crucial for managing our federalism, adding that It provides a voice to all the federating units, builds confidence, and encourages consensus.
He commended, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who always values dialogue, has given it a prominent role, and only does he respect the body’s advice, but he also engages with it and participates in policy formulation.
“Mr. President, we warmly welcome you to the conference and sincerely thank and congratulate you. Notably, over the past two years, you have attended at least four NEC meetings, demonstrating your respect for our federalism.
We thank you because, among other contributions, you have strengthened our federalism”. Today, a more united federation is gathered here because of the choices you made. Not only have your reforms improved the fiscal condition of States and Local Governments, but the majority of the burden is borne by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“You have encouraged us to recognise that true federalism lies in our ability to recognise the potentials of the lowest level of government, which is closest to the people, and to support the sustainable generation of value within it. Hence, your focus on what each ward can do and how it can be supported.
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“We congratulate you on the global acclaim of the growing success of your bold and economic reforms. Just last week, a visiting World Bank delegation led by the Managing Director, Operations, told the world that Nigeria’s reforms have become a global reference.
“In fact, an IMF report covering the same period also listed Nigeria among the ten leading countries contributing most to global economic growth. This is in addition to many other statements by leaders of various nations, international organisations, and private sector actors.
“But more important than what others say is what Nigerians say. Members of NEC represent the 36 states and the FCT. They have been given opportunities to contribute to most of the reform measures, and commendably, most of them — regardless of party — believe you are pursuing what our country needs and fully support the Government. In fact, some have said they can’t justify being in another party.
“It is clear that you want to be remembered as someone who led us to make the right choices, not necessarily the most convenient ones. While we have performed well, it is even more crucial to concentrate on how we can improve further”.
