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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday endorsed the framework for Nigeria’s new Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) for 2026–2030, named the Renewed Hope Development Plan.
The plan is positioned as a critical bridge between the ongoing government reforms and the long-term Nigeria Agenda 2050 economic blueprint, aiming to help Nigeria achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Shettima described the transition from the current National Development Plan 2021–2025 as “no ordinary transition” but rather the bridge between lessons learnt and ambitions pursued.
“The Renewed Hope Plan will consolidate ongoing reforms, deepen policy continuity, and align our medium-term strategies with the long-term horizon of Nigeria Agenda 2050. It’s a practical roadmap towards a $1 trillion economy by 2030.”
He added that the plan will be participatory, involving state and local governments, private sector stakeholders, civil society, youth, labour, and traditional institutions. “What is even more crucial is that this plan will not be drawn from the ivory towers of Abuja alone. We are going to keep on engaging state governments, local governments, organised private sector, civil society, labour, youth, and traditional institutions, and the conversation begins here today.”
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, noted that the current development plan will expire in December 2025, making a seamless transition imperative. He said the new plan “will consolidate current reforms while addressing Nigeria’s new socio-economic realities,” focusing on job creation, infrastructure, food security, human capital, and social protection. Bagudu highlighted that a broad consultative process involving all three tiers of government, political parties, private sector, civil society, youth groups, labour unions, and traditional leaders will guide the plan’s development.
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On agricultural innovation, the Vice President announced that the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has boosted local production of solar-powered irrigation pumps to reduce energy costs for farmers and expand dry-season farming, reinforcing food security.
In a separate but related health development, the NEC reviewed progress in the fight against polio amid reports of declining cases. Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, chair of the NEC Committee on Polio Eradication, reported that cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) dropped from 78 in 2024 to 42 in 2025 so far, with Kano and Katsina states achieving more than 80 percent reduction. Zamfara has recorded zero new infections this year, but Sokoto remains a concern with 13 of the 23 nationwide cases.
Yahaya said vaccination coverage increased to 84 percent by June 2025, with millions of children in high-risk states immunised. The campaigns also delivered supplementary health services such as nutrition support for pregnant women and malaria prevention.
The NEC approved upcoming immunisation campaigns, including a September 11–14 drive in high-risk states and a nationwide integrated campaign in October targeting children under 14 against polio, measles, rubella, and malaria.
The Council urged deputy governors to lead state task forces convening meetings before each vaccination round and directed local government chairmen to oversee follow-up mop-up operations. Security agencies were assigned to provide protection in vulnerable areas such as Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency stressed the need for timely funding to sustain immunisation efforts. NEC accordingly instructed the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to expedite fund releases to ensure smooth vaccination campaigns.
Shettima underscored NEC’s role as a problem-solving platform, urging members “to maintain the Council’s focus on translating policies into real outcomes for citizens.” He called for the NEC meeting to be remembered not only for the issues addressed but for the resolve shown to move “from chamber to community, from rhetoric to result.”
