From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has endorsed preparations for Nigeria’s next Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) to cover the years 2026 to 2030. The plan is billed as a key link between ongoing government reforms and the Nigeria Agenda 2050, the country’s long-term economic blueprint.
Speaking after Thursday’s NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, explained that the current development plan will end in December 2025, necessitating a seamless transition.
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“The 2026–2030 plan will consolidate current reforms while addressing Nigeria’s new socio-economic realities. It will give shape to efforts around job creation, infrastructure, food security, human capital, and social protection,” Bagudu noted.
He said the process would draw from wide consultations, involving the three tiers of government, political parties, private sector stakeholders, civil society, youth groups, labour unions, and traditional leaders. To guide the exercise, structures such as a National Steering Committee and technical sub-committees will be co-chaired by representatives from both the government and the private sector.
Governors also gave input on how previous national plans were implemented. The Council commended the Planning Ministry for starting early and called on states to be active participants.
The NEC also reviewed progress on the fight against polio, with encouraging updates from Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, chair of the NEC Committee on Polio Eradication.
According to him, cases of the circulating variant type 2 polio virus have dropped sharply in 2025 compared to last year—78 cases in 2024 to 42 so far this year. Notably, Kano and Katsina states achieved reductions of over 80 percent, while Zamfara has recorded zero new infections. Sokoto, however, accounted for more than half of this year’s cases, with 13 out of 23 nationwide.
Governor Yahaya said vaccination coverage improved to 84 percent by June, with millions of children immunised in high-risk states. Campaigns also delivered other health services such as nutrition for pregnant women and malaria prevention.
NEC approved upcoming immunisation drives, including a September 11–14 campaign in high-risk states and a nationwide integrated vaccination campaign in October covering children under 14 against polio, measles, rubella, and malaria.
The Council directed deputy governors, as heads of state task forces, to convene meetings before each round of vaccinations, while local government chairmen will lead follow-up mop-up operations. Security agencies were also tasked with providing protection in vulnerable areas such as Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency reiterated the need for timely funding to sustain momentum, a call NEC backed by urging the Office of the Accountant-General to prioritise resources for vaccination and other primary healthcare programmes.
Details later…
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