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Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has said that Nigeria’s economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu have strengthened the country’s federal system and increased financial capacity for states and local governments.
He stated this yesterday in Abuja while addressing participants at the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference, where he noted that Tinubu’s policies had deepened cooperative federalism and improved governance at the subnational level.
“President Tinubu has strengthened our federalism,” the minister said, adding that the president’s economic decisions had made Nigeria “a more united federation.”
He explained that the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration had boosted revenues available to state and local governments, enabling them to deliver more amenities and development projects to their people.
He commended the president for consistently supporting NEC, which comprises the 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, describing the council as a key platform for national economic planning and cooperation.
According to him, Tinubu’s active engagement with NEC demonstrates his commitment to inclusive governance and bipartisan collaboration.
“In the NEC, state governors have been given opportunities to contribute to most of the reform measures, and commendably, most of them, regardless of party, believe the president is pursuing what our country needs and fully support the federal government,” he said.
He added that the president’s approach had helped to reduce political friction between the federal and state governments, fostering stronger unity in policy implementation.
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The minister further disclosed that the fiscal condition of states and local governments had improved significantly since the reforms began, noting that the federal government bore most of the initial burden of the policy adjustments.
He cited Tinubu’s approval of the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Programme as evidence of his commitment to grassroots development. The programme, he said, is designed to identify economic opportunities in the 8,809 wards across the country and support their growth.
He also highlighted growing international recognition of Nigeria’s economic progress under Tinubu’s leadership.
“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 benchmark,” he said.
He added that a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report ranked Nigeria among the 10 countries contributing most to global economic growth, describing this as a testament to the success of the administration’s policies.
The NEC Conference, themed ‘Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030’, was chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima. It was the second such conference held in the last 10 years.
He congratulated President Tinubu for what he described as bold and courageous reforms that are repositioning Nigeria for sustainable economic growth and development.
