Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on members of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) to focus on maximising the value of the nation’s core national assets to benefit the Nigerian people. Speaking during the 4th meeting of the NCP on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima emphasized that the management of these assets is crucial to the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Shettima underscored the significance of the NCP’s work, particularly in the current economic climate, stating that maximising value from these assets is a core objective for achieving national prosperity. “The work of this council has never been more important,” he remarked. “Maximising value from core national assets is a key tenet of the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and we must, as a council, play our part in unlocking the national prosperity that Mr President works towards every day.”
He urged the members to exercise constructive leadership and to approach their duties with fairness, warning that posterity would judge them based on their decisions. “Our people need our leadership. People will pass judgement on our decisions in years to come,” Shettima said.
During the meeting, the Council reviewed and ratified reports presented by its finance, technical, and legal committees. Notably, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, presented the proposed 2025 work plan for the Bureau. His plan prioritized revenue-generating projects and the strengthening of concession management capacity.
Gbeleyi also provided an update on the establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), aimed at enhancing grid management, transparency, and reliability. Other significant updates included the progress on the restructuring of Kano, Kaduna, Benin, and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Companies, as well as developments regarding the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s oversight on electricity markets in several states.
The meeting also covered updates on major power projects, including operations at the Zungeru Hydropower Plant, Kainji, and Jebba Hydroelectric Power Plants, alongside a proposal to relocate turbines from the Afam Power Plant to the Ughelli Power Plant to boost national power supply.
In attendance were key officials, including the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu; and Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, alongside other members of the NCP.
Vice President Shettima’s address highlighted the critical role of the NCP in driving the economic transformation the Tinubu administration is pursuing, stressing that the nation’s future prosperity hinges on the effective management and utilisation of its national assets.
