President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently presiding over the 18th meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Aso Chambers of the State House, Abuja. This marks the first FEC meeting in six weeks, following a series of important foreign engagements that kept the President on the international stage in Equatorial Guinea, China, and the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
The meeting commenced at 12:25 p.m. on Monday, with President Tinubu addressing a smaller-than-usual gathering of cabinet members. Of the 47 ministers in his cabinet, only 21 were in attendance. This reduced attendance is largely due to the fact that several ministers, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, are currently in New York for the 2024 United Nations General Assembly, where Shettima is leading Nigeria\u2019s delegation.<\/p>\n
Notable figures present at the meeting include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. George Akume, and the National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu. Key ministers attending include Mr. Wale Edun, the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education; Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation; and Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, among others.<\/p>\n
The meeting began on a solemn note, as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, led the council members in observing a minute of silence in honor of the late Mrs. Salome Jankada, a former Minister of Women and Youth Development under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Jankada passed away on August 27, 2024, and her contributions to the nation\u2019s development, particularly in the area of youth empowerment, were recognized by the council.<\/p>\n
This FEC meeting holds particular significance as it comes after Tinubu’s extensive diplomatic tour, where he engaged in high-level talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties and economic cooperation. His visits to China and the UK were particularly critical for Nigeria\u2019s economic and infrastructural development plans. Tinubu\u2019s meetings in China centered on securing strategic investments in technology, energy, and manufacturing, while his UK engagements focused on fostering greater collaboration in trade and security.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Tinubu\u2019s stop in Equatorial Guinea was seen as a move to bolster regional alliances, particularly around issues related to oil and gas production, areas where both nations have shared interests.<\/p>\n
Observers note that this FEC meeting will likely focus on reviewing the outcomes of these foreign engagements and their potential impact on Nigeria\u2019s economy. With ministers such as Wale Edun and Abubakar Bagudu present, economic planning and budgetary matters are expected to dominate the agenda, as the nation grapples with challenges ranging from inflation to rising fuel prices, which have affected citizens’ cost of living.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the meeting provides an opportunity for the government to assess its current performance and discuss the next steps in implementing key policies aimed at national development. Ministers such as Nyesom Wike, who has been vocal about infrastructure development in the FCT, and Festus Keyamo, who oversees the aviation sector, are expected to present updates on their respective ministries’ progress.<\/p>\n
With Vice President Shettima\u2019s delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly, the FEC meeting also serves as a preparatory forum for Nigeria\u2019s international commitments, particularly in areas such as climate change, security, and economic reform, which are key topics at the UNGA.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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