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Shettima Tasks Stakeholders on Reforms to Improve Nigeria’s Budget Process
By Hassan Taiye
Kashim Shettima has called on key stakeholders to provide actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s budget process and enhancing fiscal credibility.
The Vice President made the call at the opening of a two-day National Policy Dialogue in Abuja, urging participants to move beyond routine deliberations and communiqués by offering practical solutions capable of shaping government decisions and improving the welfare of citizens.
Declaring the conference open, Shettima stressed that effective budget planning, projection, and implementation remain critical to national development under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also commended the organisers for convening what he described as a timely and strategic forum focused on promoting prudent financial planning and management.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, the Vice President noted that budgeting is a key instrument for addressing economic challenges and sustaining growth across sectors. He added that ongoing reforms are aimed at making the budgeting process more inclusive, transparent, and people-driven.
According to him, the government is working to broaden the scope and objectives of the budget in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that it reflects the aspirations of Nigerians rather than merely presenting figures and projections.
Shettima further explained that reforms, including those linked to tax policies, are designed to promote fiscal discipline, improve service delivery, and support long-term planning. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to increasing funding for critical sectors such as healthcare and water supply, noting that such investments are essential for improving human development indices and reducing inequality.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Chief Whip Peter Nwebonyi, commended the initiative and expressed optimism that recommendations from the dialogue would strengthen legislative input in the budgeting process.
However, concerns over implementation gaps dominated discussions during the presentation of the lead paper by Antonia Simbine, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research. She highlighted Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians—approximately 133 million people—are living in multidimensional poverty.
Simbine identified key factors undermining budget performance, including weak integration between planning and budgeting, poor institutional coordination, and frequent deviations from fiscal projections. She also warned that the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), designed to bridge planning gaps, is often weakened by political interference and vested interests.
She called for stronger governance structures to ensure accountability and effective policy execution, stressing that such measures are critical if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable development outcomes comparable to global standards.
The two-day National Policy Dialogue is themed: “The Imperatives of National Development Planning and an Effective Budgeting System for Sustainable Growth of the Nigerian Economy.”
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihir-Raji’un.
The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of , Hon. Inuwa Bwala, on behalf of the management and staff, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and pioneer editor of the newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman.
Bwala also extended condolences to Suleiman’s family, associates and the Nigerian media industry, describing his passing as a monumental loss at a time his experience, courage and service to the nation were still greatly needed.
Suleiman reportedly died shortly before a scheduled surgery.
A pioneer editor of National Trail Newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman was regarded as a thoroughbred journalist with a remarkable talent for breaking exclusive stories and shaping public discourse through responsible journalism.
Throughout his distinguished career, he worked with notable media organisations, including National Trail Newspaper, Daily Trust, Summit and The Road. He earned widespread admiration for fearless reporting, ethical conduct and unwavering commitment to professionalism.
His writings and public interventions consistently reflected deep concern for justice, peace, accountability and national unity.
Beyond journalism, Suleiman was widely respected as a bridge-builder who strongly believed in dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse peoples. He remained steadfast in his conviction that truth and justice are essential pillars for national progress.
Though his voice has now gone silent, the values and ideals he stood for will continue to inspire generations. His legacy as a principled journalist, advocate and patriot will endure in the hearts of many whose lives he touched through his work and humanity.
The management and staff of National Trail Newspaper prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort his family, friends, colleagues and members of the in this moment of grief.
Rest in peace, Abdulazeez Suleiman. Your service and legacy will not be forgotten.
Uncategorized
JUST IN: After Primary Election Victory, Shehu Sani Visits Parents’ Graves to Offer Prayers and Express Gratitude to God
Following his victory in the party primary election, Senator Shehu Sani visited the graves of his parents to pray and give thanks to Almighty God.
The former senator described the visit as very important to him, noting that his parents played a significant role in his upbringing and in shaping his political life.
Shehu Sani prayed for Allah to forgive his parents and all deceased Muslims, while also reaffirming his commitment to continue serving the people with honesty and integrity after securing victory in the primaries.
The gesture has attracted attention from his supporters and social media users, many of whom praised his act of remembering his parents after a political success.
Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihir-Raji’un.
The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of , Hon. Inuwa Bwala, on behalf of the management and staff, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and pioneer editor of the newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman.
Bwala also extended condolences to Suleiman’s family, associates and the Nigerian media industry, describing his passing as a monumental loss at a time his experience, courage and service to the nation were still greatly needed.
Suleiman reportedly died shortly before a scheduled surgery.
A pioneer editor of National Trail Newspaper, Abdulazeez Suleiman was regarded as a thoroughbred journalist with a remarkable talent for breaking exclusive stories and shaping public discourse through responsible journalism.
Throughout his distinguished career, he worked with notable media organisations, including National Trail Newspaper, Daily Trust, Summit and The Road. He earned widespread admiration for fearless reporting, ethical conduct and unwavering commitment to professionalism.
His writings and public interventions consistently reflected deep concern for justice, peace, accountability and national unity.
Beyond journalism, Suleiman was widely respected as a bridge-builder who strongly believed in dialogue, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse peoples. He remained steadfast in his conviction that truth and justice are essential pillars for national progress.
Though his voice has now gone silent, the values and ideals he stood for will continue to inspire generations. His legacy as a principled journalist, advocate and patriot will endure in the hearts of many whose lives he touched through his work and humanity.
The management and staff of National Trail Newspaper prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort his family, friends, colleagues and members of the in this moment of grief.
Rest in peace, Abdulazeez Suleiman. Your service and legacy will not be forgotten.
National Trail Mourns Pioneer Editor, Abdulazeez Suleiman
Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu Declared Winner of Bali/Gassol Federal Constituency in Taraba
JUST IN: After Primary Election Victory, Shehu Sani Visits Parents’ Graves to Offer Prayers and Express Gratitude to God
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