Vice President Shettima to Preside Over Landmark National Economic Council Conference in Abuja

Kashim Shettima

​Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to chair a pivotal two-day National Economic Council (NEC) Conference beginning Monday, February 9, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The summit, themed "Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan," aims to align federal and state priorities to accelerate Nigeria's long-term economic agenda. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour alongside governors from all 36 states and key private-sector leaders.

​The conference serves as a strategic platform for stakeholders to deliberate on critical macroeconomic priorities, including fiscal coordination and investment mobilization. According to the Secretary of the NEC, Dr. Deborah Oko Odo, the gathering will focus on synchronizing state programs with the Federal Government's economic blueprint to ensure cohesive growth across the federation.

​A major highlight of the summit will be the presentation of a comprehensive brief on the robust implementation of new tax laws across sub-national governments. This follows earlier resolutions by the Council to boost non-oil revenue through competitive manufacturing and export diversification. The NEC is seeking the full support of state governors for tax harmonization and the adoption of presumptive tax regimes to better integrate the informal sector into the national economy.

​"This moment in our journey calls for neither triumphalism nor despair," Vice President Shettima previously remarked, emphasizing that while current growth is encouraging, it must be accelerated to decisively reduce poverty and generate jobs. As the conference unfolds, the administration remains focused on human capital development and maintaining economic competitiveness through sound governance and improved social protection.

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