Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in his commitment to diversify Nigeria’s economy, stressing that the President has the political will to take bold decisions that will reposition the nation’s economic landscape.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Economic Society, NES, led by its President, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, Shettima said recent international engagements by the Tinubu administration are evidence of deliberate efforts to open up new growth sectors.
“In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you have an ally, a friend who grew up in the same ecosystem as you, who speaks your language of business and commerce, who understands the economic terrain, and most importantly, who has the political courage,” Shettima said.
He cited the President’s recent state visit to Brazil, where five Memoranda of Understanding were signed covering aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture, describing the agreements as “deliberate and intentional steps to diversify Nigeria’s economy.”
Shettima also observed that Nigeria’s youthful population provides the country a unique advantage in a “knowledge-driven post-industrial age.”
According to him, Nigeria is well-positioned to fill global talent gaps and leverage the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to unlock new opportunities.
“We are in a unique position to turn our potential into demographic dividends. Nigerians have the intellectual know-how, the capacity, and the versatility to economically reposition this country,” the Vice President stated.
Shettima urged the NES to continue to generate “robust ideas and perspectives” that will support the administration’s push for diversification.
“Your perspectives are crucial as we diversify the economy. We are open to your inputs, and together, we can chart a sustainable path for this nation,” he said.
On his part, Prof. Adenikinju praised the Tinubu administration for what he described as bold and profound economic reforms, pledging the society’s support for ongoing policies.
“The reforms are bold, profound, and already yielding results. The Nigerian Economic Society is ready to support the administration’s efforts and serve in government’s economic management team, as well as other development and planning committees,” Adenikinju said.
He further urged the Federal Government to be intentional about reactivating the Economic Intelligence Unit in the presidency, to provide evidence-based advisory for the President, and announced that the NES would confer its highest award, Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society, on the Vice President at its forthcoming national conference in Abuja.
The meeting also reinforced calls for stronger collaboration between government and economists in developing homegrown solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
