The National Economic Council (NEC) has called on state governments to engage with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) as part of efforts to address the growing challenges of food insecurity and unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential.
The decision was made during the 147th NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Marion Moon, Technical Assistant to the President on Agriculture and PFSCU Coordinator, presented the unit’s strategy to collaborate with state governments in addressing food insecurity. The focus on agri-business aims to enhance delivery mechanisms and expedite progress toward achieving targets outlined in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
NEC members commended the presentation and encouraged state governments to align with the initiative. They also requested that PFSCU provide an update on its key achievements at the next meeting.
In his remarks, Vice President Shettima noted that the economic reforms and interventions introduced by the federal government in 2024 are beginning to show positive results. He highlighted the 3.46% GDP growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 as an encouraging sign of the government’s successful policies.
Shettima emphasized that the meeting was an opportunity to reflect on progress made in 2024, urging members to consider how the year’s reforms have shaped the nation’s economy. He expressed confidence that the results of the government’s actions would yield even greater benefits in the coming months.
The Vice President also spoke about the World Bank’s Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Project, which aims to strengthen Nigeria’s education and healthcare systems. He called it a significant opportunity for Nigeria’s future, focusing on improving foundational literacy, numeracy, and health outcomes to create lasting impacts on the nation’s workforce.
Other key discussions at the NEC meeting included updates on the account balances as of December 2024 and progress on the establishment of state police. Notably, 36 states have submitted proposals for state police, with final recommendations to be presented in January 2025.
NEC also approved a request from the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to seek an amendment to its enabling Act, which includes the proposal for an alternative funding source from non-oil federation revenue.
Additionally, the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy presented its plan to transform historic sites into creative villages, promoting cultural and economic growth. The initiative aims to blend cultural preservation with modern innovation to foster vibrant communities for artists and entrepreneurs.
The meeting also featured updates on the ad-hoc committee on flood, erosion, and desertification, led by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and discussions on improving funding for RMAFC to enhance its operational capacity.
In closing, Vice President Shettima urged state governments to actively participate in national development initiatives, particularly those focused on human capital development and economic diversification, which are critical to Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
