VP Kashim Shettima
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), led by its President, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Shettima highlighted Tinubu’s strategic efforts to reposition the nation’s economic landscape.
Shettima praised Tinubu’s bold leadership, noting the President’s recent trip to Brazil, which yielded five Memoranda of Understanding in aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture.
“These agreements reflect deliberate steps by President Tinubu to diversify our economy,” Shettima stated, adding, “In him, you have a leader who understands the language of business and commerce and possesses the political courage to make transformative decisions.”
Emphasizing Nigeria’s potential in a knowledge-driven global economy, Shettima pointed to the country’s youthful population as a key asset.
“With our intellectual capacity and versatility, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to address global talent gaps and turn our potential into demographic dividends,” he said.
He urged the NES, one of Nigeria’s oldest economic organizations, to support the Renewed Hope Agenda by providing innovative solutions to national challenges.
Prof. Adenikinju commended the administration’s bold economic reforms, stating, “These reforms are profound and already yielding results.”
He pledged the NES’s support and expressed readiness to contribute to federal economic management teams and committees.
Adenikinju also proposed reactivating the Economic Intelligence Unit in the presidency to provide evidence-based advisory support, saying, “This will help consolidate the administration’s economic gains.”
The NES announced plans to honor Vice-President Shettima with its highest award, ‘Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES),’ at its upcoming national conference on September 9 in Abuja.
The delegation included notable members such as Prof. Sarah Anyanwu, Dr. Rislanudeen Muhammad, Dr. Idris Idris, Dr. Peter Agunloye, Dr. Justin Amase, and Lady Nonye Ndidi, among others.
