Tinubu has political courage to reposition Nigeria’s economy, says Shettima

…as FG considers creation of architecture task team

By Kunle Sanni –

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy, describing him as a leader with the political courage to take bold decisions.

Shettima gave the assurance on Thursday at the Presidential Villa while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) led by its President, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju. He cited Tinubu’s recent trip to Brazil, which produced five Memoranda of Understanding in aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture, as deliberate steps toward economic diversification.

“In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you have an ally, a friend who speaks your language of business and commerce, who understands the economic terrain, and most importantly, who has the political courage,” the Vice President said.

He stressed that Nigeria has the potential to convert its youthful population into “demographic dividends” and to fill global talent gaps, pointing to Nigerian-founded unicorns as proof of the country’s capacity for innovation and growth. He urged the NES to provide robust policy solutions to support the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Prof. Adenikinju commended the administration’s reforms, describing them as bold and impactful. He pledged the society’s support and called for the reactivation of the Economic Intelligence Unit in the presidency to strengthen evidence-based policymaking. He also disclosed that Shettima will receive the NES’s highest honour, the Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES), at its national conference in Abuja on September 9.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is considering the creation of a presidential task team to conceptualise and operationalise “good architecture” in Nigeria, following proposals by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).

During a separate visit, the NIA delegation led by its President, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi, urged the government to elevate architecture as a national priority for development and economic growth. The Institute also named Shettima Nigeria’s “Champion of Good Architecture.”

In response, the Vice President pledged the administration’s support, noting that Nigeria has over 10,000 trained architects capable of adding value to national development. “Together, we can make this country a great nation. What binds us together supersedes what divides us,” he said.