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Cabinet officials

President Tinubu Charges Governors to Prioritize Rural Development, Economic Growth

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President Bola Tinubu has implored state governors to focus on improving the welfare of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, by investing in education, agriculture, and infrastructure. This call came after the National Economic Council (NEC) endorsed the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), a new ward-based development strategy aimed at achieving double-digit economic growth through direct intervention in Nigeria's 8,809 administrative wards. The president also directed NEC to enhance the actualisation of legacy projects, including the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highways.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Tinubu urged state governors to invest in rural electrification, agricultural mechanisation, poverty eradication, and infrastructure development to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
  • The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), a ward-based development strategy aimed at achieving double-digit economic growth.
  • The RHWDP targets sustainable support for economic activities in all 36 states, with a minimum threshold of 1,000 economically active individuals for smaller wards and 2,000 for larger ones.
  • A National Steering Committee comprising representatives from all six geopolitical zones will oversee the implementation of RHWDP, with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning as secretariat.
  • The Council directed the strengthening of State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) across all 36 states of the federation and asked the Federal Ministry of Finance to release emergency funds to address impending flood effects.
  • NEMA has produced the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2027) with United Nations support and improved civil-military coordination on disaster risk reduction and relief operations.

Statistics:

  • Nigeria has 8,809 administrative wards across all 36 states.
  • The RHWDP targets double-digit economic growth, specifically a 15% growth rate by 2030, while the current rate sits below 4%.
  • The agency has identified persistent challenges hindering effective flood response, including weak drainage infrastructure, delayed data reporting from states, insecurity in flood-prone areas, limited functionality of SEMAs, and inadequate environmental hygiene and waste management systems.
  • NEMA has deployed search and rescue equipment to high-risk states and continues to downscale early warning messages across all 36 states to local communities through the National Preparedness and Response Campaign.
  • The Federal Ministry of Finance was asked to release funds to each state of the Federation, the FCT, and some federal agencies for this year's flood preparedness.

Sources:

  • National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, held at the State House Council Chambers, Abuja.
  • Presentation by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, on the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP).
  • NEMA's presentation on the country's 2025 flood preparedness and response initiatives.
  • National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2027).
  • Nigeria Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis for 2024.
  • United Nations support.

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