ABUJA — In an unusual move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended the 142nd meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the council, was expected to lead deliberations on the new national minimum wage. President Tinubu’s attendance followed his decision to consult with stakeholders, including state governors who are members of the council. He had previously stated that he would only submit a new national minimum wage proposal to the National Assembly after these consultations.
However, at the end of the meeting, the council did not address whether the minimum wage issue was considered.
Announcing the resolutions, Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, alongside the governors of Imo, Kano, and Kogi, disclosed that the federal government has approved a $1 billion agriculture mechanization program. This program will establish 1,000 agro-sector service providers nationwide, equipped with a minimum of 2,000 tractors annually for the next five years, engaging at least 600,000 youths to operate these service centers.
Kyari explained that the project, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Monday, includes an arrangement with John Deere and Tata to provide 2,000 tractors by the end of the year. Additionally, the Greener Imperative Project, a €950 million initiative, is expected to be unveiled soon, involving a deal with Belarus Tractors to supply 2,000 tractors annually for the next five years, along with 9,000 implements and spare parts.
Kyari noted: “We have already had a meeting with our entrepreneurs and developed a roadmap to meet this demand. We are seeking partnerships with foreign governments to produce goods that we can export to earn foreign exchange.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State remarked that the NEC directed the sub-committee on crude oil theft to provide comprehensive recommendations to address the issue at the next meeting. Although the sub-committee was expected to submit its report during Thursday’s meeting, it was deemed inconclusive.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano announced the constitution of the board of the Niger Delta Power Holding, which had been operating without a supervising board for some time. The new board includes governors from Borno, Katsina, Imo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Akwa Ibom states, representing different geopolitical zones.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun spoke about the activation of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
