NIGERIA: NEC Approves Renewed Hope Economic Development Plan 2026–203

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the Nigerian Medium-Term National Development Plan 2026–2030, otherwise called the Renewed Hope Economic Development Plan, designed to consolidate ongoing reforms and drive President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economic growth target.

The approval was given during NEC’s 151st meeting on Thursday, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the plan will replace the current 2021–2025 framework, which ends in December.

He explained that the Renewed Hope Plan is built on Nigeria’s 30-year Agenda 2050 and will serve as the second of six successive five-year plans. The framework, he said, seeks to accelerate job creation, expand infrastructure, enhance food security, and strengthen social protection.

According to him, President Tinubu is expected to launch the plan before the end of 2025, with all levels of government expected to align their programmes with its objectives. The process, he added, will be participatory, involving federal and state governments, the private sector, labour unions, youth groups, civil society, and traditional institutions.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State was among council members who contributed to discussions, drawing from his experience with previous economic frameworks.

Meanwhile, NEC also reviewed progress in Nigeria’s fight against polio. Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who chairs the NEC Committee on Polio Eradication, reported that new cases had dropped from 78 in 2024 to 42 so far in 2025. Significant progress was recorded in Kano and Katsina states, with 85 and 84 percent reductions respectively.

However, Sokoto State was identified as the highest contributor, accounting for 13 of the 23 cases recorded this year. Yahaya said additional vaccination and surveillance measures are being intensified in the state, with security agencies directed to provide cover for immunisation teams in volatile areas.

He disclosed that a second round of vaccination will hold from September 11–14 across 11 high-risk states, followed by a nationwide integrated campaign in October targeting children aged 0–14 with vaccines for measles, rubella, polio, and other health interventions.

Also speaking, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, revealed that Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account now stands at $535,823.39. He added that the Stabilisation Account holds ₦78.45 billion, while the Natural Resources Account has ₦106.72 billion.