RismadarVoice Reporters
January 16, 2026
National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the formation of a committee to oversee the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s directive on key legacy projects, notably the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highways.
The Council also resolved to deepen engagement with stakeholders to enhance non-oil revenues, in line with the administration’s economic blueprint.
The resolutions were made at the 156th NEC meeting the first of 2026 held virtually on Thursday, according to a statement released on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).
The statement was titled: “At First NEC of the Year: Council Moves To Boost Non-oil Revenue, Deepen Engagement With Stakeholders.”
The committee on legacy projects is Chaired by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno.
One Governor from each of the six geopolitical zones will serve as members: Sokoto (North-West), Gombe (North-East), Niger (North-Central), Abia (South-East), Lagos (South-West), and Cross River (South-South).
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh, will serve as Secretary, while the Ministers of Works, David Umahi, and Transportation will also sit on the committee.
NEC was briefed on the implementation status of the President’s directive concerning the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highways.
The statement noted, “Council was called to note that President Bola Tinubu addressed the National Economic Council during the 150th meeting held on July 31, 2025, where he underscored the need to properly manage setbacks along the highways to create investments and economic activities.”
The NEC Secretariat has liaised with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the assignment, which has already commenced.
In compliance with the President’s directive, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation has also been moved to the Presidency.
The Council’s decisions followed a presentation on Nigeria’s 2026 economic priorities by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The presentation highlighted key reforms by the Tinubu administration, including targeted programmes that have removed system distortions, stabilized the economy, and positioned Nigeria on a path of sustained recovery, with projected growth of 4.68 per cent in 2026.
NEC commended the Federal Government’s plans to promote rapid, job-rich growth, high-quality employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. The Council also resolved to dedicate a special session to address critical issues in national food security and agricultural productivity.
In his opening remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima noted that global economic pressures including volatile oil prices, exchange rates, and capital flows underscore the importance of fiscal risk management and reducing reliance on oil revenues.
He highlighted that the non-oil economy, now accounting for about 96 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and nearly three-quarters of government revenue, has become the backbone of the country’s growth.
“Services, agriculture, and other non-oil sectors are increasingly carrying the weight of the economy.
More importantly, non-oil revenues now contribute nearly three-quarters of total government collections. This marks a significant, if gradual, departure from our historic dependence on volatile oil receipts. The task before us is to deepen this transition through competitive manufacturing, export diversification, and private sector investment,” he said.
