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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At its 152nd meeting held on Thursday, September 18, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, chose not to engage in discussions on the contentious issue of state police, despite renewed calls by President Bola Tinubu for debate on the subject.
NEC had, at its previous sittings, assured members and the public of a final resolution of the matter whenever it reconvenes.
In its April meeting, NEC deferred state police discussion despite worsening security, assuring a final resolution at the May 2025 meeting. Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, had in that meeting said it was part of the agenda, but it was deferred as a result of some presentations on other pressing national issues which took up more time.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, had categorically stated during the NEC meeting in February 2025 that all 36 states were favourably disposed to the establishment of state police, assuring them that when the Council reconvenes, it would make a pronouncement and resolve the matter.
Also, the Nigerian Governors, after a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, emphasised the need for increased recruitment into security agencies and the adoption of technology-driven solutions to tackle killings at various state levels.
But Thursday’s NEC meeting, instead, turned its focus to immediate and pressing national concerns: the growing threat of flooding across Nigeria and strategies to bolster food security ahead of the 2025 dry season.
Amid mounting anxiety over riverine flooding’s humanitarian and economic toll, the NEC received a detailed briefing from National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu. The NSA presented the Anticipatory Action Framework—a forward-thinking, comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting vulnerable populations in 13 high-risk states through early warning systems, preparedness, and coordinated response mechanisms.
The Council commended this visionary approach but directed that its scope be expanded to cover more states before being ratified at the next NEC meeting. It also urged that risk communications be intensified via state broadcast channels, town halls, and community leaders to ensure grassroots preparedness, while pushing for strengthened State Emergency Management Agencies equipped with adequate funding and training.
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On the food security front, NEC unanimously endorsed a breakthrough solar-powered irrigation pump developed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). This battery-backed solar technology, designed as a sustainable alternative to fuel-driven pumps, promises to reduce energy costs for farmers, enable dry-season cultivation expansion, and support Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.
Shettima, chairing the Council, hailed the innovation as a testament to Nigerian ingenuity capable of competing globally, noting unique features such as GPS tracking and pay-as-you-go integration. The Council resolved to seek President Tinubu’s formal approval and financial backing to enable NASENI to rapidly scale up production—currently capable of 90,000 to 100,000 units per month—in time for the 2025 farming season.
Shettima said the innovation by NASENI “will not only boost food security but also unlock carbon credit opportunities” for farmers across the country.
The Vice President hinted at other efforts by the Tinubu administration to ensure food security, saying recently, “250,000 farmers have been insured across eight states, the 30 per cent Value Addition Bill is advancing, and the ₦250 billion Bank of Agriculture facility is being activated to reach smallholders.”
Also on the agenda was a briefing from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), outlining the upcoming 31st Nigerian Economic Summit themed “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030.”
Delivered by NESG CEO Tayo Aduloju, the presentation underscored Nigeria’s need to overcome structural obstacles, including energy and transport deficiencies, political economy risks exacerbated by the looming 2027 elections, and global systemic pressures like climate change and inflation. The summit, scheduled for October 6–8 at the Transcorp Hilton, aims to catalyse reforms geared towards achieving President Tinubu’s ambitious $1 trillion economy target by 2030 through enhanced subnational competitiveness and industrialisation-led growth.
In addition, the Council reviewed concerns raised by Jigawa State Governor regarding high energy and fertiliser costs that continue to impede agricultural productivity and worsen the fragile food security situation. NEC resolved to take decisive action by mandating the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) to engage with industry players to address domestic gas supply and pricing issues, with a report expected at the next meeting.
As of Tuesday, September 17, 2025, Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) holds a modest balance of just $535,823.39, reflecting continued depletion from its once substantial reserves. The ECA, established in 2004 to serve as a financial buffer against fluctuations in global oil prices, is designed to safeguard the economy by saving surplus oil revenues above budget benchmarks. Alongside the ECA, the Stabilisation Account currently holds ₦83.5 billion, while the Natural Resources Development Account maintains a healthier balance of ₦125.8 billion. These figures illustrate the fiscal landscape as Nigeria navigates economic challenges and underscore concerns about the country’s preparedness to absorb shocks from volatile oil markets.
