President Tinubu Presides Over 18th FEC Meeting at Aso Villa

President Bola Tinubu is presiding over the 18th Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Aso Chambers of the State House in Abuja. This marks the first FEC session in six weeks, following the President’s recent diplomatic engagements in Equatorial Guinea, China, and the United Kingdom.

The meeting commenced at 12:25 p.m. with only 21 out of the 47 cabinet members in attendance. Among those present are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Key ministers at the meeting include Wale Edun, the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Other notable attendees include Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is notably absent, as he is in New York leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 78th United Nations General Assembly, accompanied by several other cabinet members.

Before formal proceedings began, a moment of silence was observed in honor of former Minister of Women and Youth Development, Mrs. Salome Jankada, who passed away on August 27, 2024. Jankada served in the cabinet of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Although the agenda for Monday’s meeting has not been disclosed, it is expected to include the approval of numerous project proposals from various ministries.