The National Economic Council (NEC), led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has been officially established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The NEC, the first in a series of meetings, is held a week after Tinubu ordered it to convene in order to develop interventions to lessen the consequences of the withdrawal of petroleum subsidies.
The president had asked the council to come up with suggestions that would help his administration, particularly in reversing the nation’s economic fortunes.
Although the goal of boosting the country’s economy is challenging, there would be no justification for failure, he had emphasized.
He reaffirmed the will of his government to keep its commitments to Nigerians.
The council is presently convening following the inauguration.
The NEC meets monthly and has the mandate to “advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.”
Membership of the NEC comprises of the 36 State Governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted government officials.
Those in attendance as at the time the meeting commenced are Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Osun, Ademola Adeleke; Kogi, Yahaya Bello; Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji; Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule; Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno; Enugu, Peter Mbah; Cross River, Bassey Otu; Plateau, Caleb Muftwang; Kebbi, Nasir Idris; Katsina, Aliyu Radda; and Benue, Hycinth Alia.
Others are Gombe, Inuwa Yahaya; Zamfara, Dauda Lawal; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Anambra, Charles Soludo; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Taraba, Agbu Kefas; Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori; Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara; Niger, Mohammed Bago; and Sokoto, Ahmad Aliyu.
Others are Ebonyi, Francis Nwifuru; Kaduna, Uba Sani; Edo, Godwin Obaseki; Abia, Alex Otti; Bayelsa, Douye Diri; Kano, Abba Yusuf; Bauchi, Bala Mohammed; Oyo, Seyi Makinde; and Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur and Deputy Governor of Ondo, Lucky Ayedatiwa.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein; Acting Governor of Central Bank, Folashodun Shonubi; Permanent Secretaries Budget and National Planning, Federal Capital Territory Administration, and State House.
