Tinubu pledges boost for agriculture, vows to crush banditry, terrorism
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged accelerated agricultural development alongside a renewed offensive against banditry and terrorism, while assuring states of sustained federal allocations, expanded infrastructure delivery and broader social investment programmes.
Speaking at the second edition of the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President said Nigeria has reached a defining moment that demands bold reforms, cooperative federalism and decisive implementation to move the economy from recovery into full transformation.
Tinubu linked agricultural growth directly to national stability, stressing that food security, rural development and security must advance together. He described insecurity as a major economic constraint and vowed to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture to defeat terrorism and banditry, which he said undermine agricultural production, investment and livelihoods.
The President highlighted ongoing economic reforms, noting that they are stabilising the macroeconomic environment, restoring investor confidence and improving fiscal capacity across all tiers of government. He said federal allocations to states have become more predictable, while infrastructure investment is being prioritised across transport, power, digital connectivity, housing and irrigation.
According to Tinubu, the Renewed Hope National Development Plan will focus on economic diversification, private sector–led growth, human capital development and climate resilience, with implementation extending down to ward levels to ensure inclusive impact. He also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding social investment programmes targeted at vulnerable households, youth, women and small businesses.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described NEC as a critical platform for strengthening Nigeria’s federal system and building national consensus around reform priorities. He noted that international institutions such as the World Bank and IMF have cited Nigeria’s reforms as reference points for economic restructuring.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs NEC, emphasised that economic progress must translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives. He said inclusive growth requires coordination across federal, state and local governments, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and focused on resilience and equity.
Source; Vanguard
EXPERT REVIEW FOR AGRI-FOOD STAKEHOLDERS
The NEC conference signals a renewed attempt to align security, agriculture and fiscal reform under a single national transformation agenda. For agri-food stakeholders, the implications extend beyond policy rhetoric to questions of execution, coordination and impact at the farm and market levels.
- Security remains foundational to agricultural recovery
Without improved security, investments in farming, irrigation and rural infrastructure will continue to face high risk, limiting output growth and private sector participation. - Predictable federal allocations support subnational agriculture
More stable transfers to states can improve planning for extension services, rural roads, irrigation and input support critical to food production. - Infrastructure investment strengthens food systems
Prioritising transport, power and irrigation directly lowers production and logistics costs across agricultural value chains. - Ward-level implementation could deepen inclusion
Decentralised execution increases the likelihood that agricultural and social programmes reach smallholders, women and youth at the grassroots. - Reform credibility will depend on delivery speed
Investor confidence and farmer participation hinge on how quickly policies translate into visible improvements in productivity, incomes and food availability.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s ambition to accelerate agricultural growth while confronting insecurity reflects an understanding that food security and national stability are inseparable. The success of the Renewed Hope agenda will depend on sustained coordination across governments, effective security interventions and consistent delivery of infrastructure and agricultural support. For the agri-food sector, the coming months will test whether reform momentum can be converted into measurable gains on farms and across value chains.
