Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu remains resolute in his drive to diversify Nigeria’s economy, describing him as a leader with the political will to take bold decisions.
Shettima spoke on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, 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 evidence of deliberate steps to broaden the nation’s economic base.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally, a friend who grew up in the same ecosystem as you. He speaks your language of business and commerce, understands the economic terrain, and most importantly, has the political courage,” Shettima said.
The Vice-President stressed that Nigeria was well-placed to convert its youthful population into “demographic dividends” and fill global talent gaps, adding that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be central to unlocking this potential.
He urged the NES to contribute robust solutions to national challenges, assuring that government remained open to their input and perspectives.
Earlier, Adenikinju commended the Tinubu administration’s reforms as “bold, profound and yielding results,” and pledged the society’s support. He called for the reactivation of the Economic Intelligence Unit in the presidency to provide evidence-based advice.
The NES also announced plans to confer its highest honour, the Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES), on Shettima at its forthcoming national conference in Abuja on September 9.
The delegation included former NES President Prof. Sarah Anyanwu, council members Dr. Rislanudeen Muhammad and Dr. Idris Idris, as well as conference chairperson Lady Nonye Ndidi.
