The Federal Government is set to pull the economic oars in one direction as it convenes a National Economic Council (NEC) Conference on Monday, aimed at tightening coordination and fast-tracking inclusive growth across the federation.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President.
According to Nkwocha, governors of the 36 states, alongside critical national stakeholders, will gather at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for the two-day meeting scheduled for February 9 and 10.
He noted that Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the NEC, will steer deliberations at the summit, where fiscal alignment, investment mobilisation and joint development strategies between the federal and state governments will take centre stage.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to grace the event as Special Guest of Honour, while top government officials, development partners and captains of industry are also billed to attend.
The presidential aide added that the conference is being convened by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu.
Nkwocha explained that the gathering is designed to set the compass for states as they harmonise their policies with the Federal Government’s long-term economic blueprint.
The conference is themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.”
Also speaking, Dr Deborah Odo, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the NEC, said the meeting would confront urgent macroeconomic challenges head-on.
“The conference will focus on national economic issues aimed at encouraging economic growth and development across the country,” she said.
