From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has announced the federal government’s approval of a presidential development agenda aimed at identifying economic opportunities, social conditions and development gaps across wards nationwide.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement with Local Government Chairmen organised by the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) in Abuja, Bagudu stressed the need for stronger collaboration among federal, state and local governments to drive inclusive growth and enhance social protection initiatives at the grassroots level.
He said the initiative aims to strengthen governance and co-ordination at the grassroots level by enabling wards and local governments to identify development opportunities, existing programmes, service gaps, and intervention priorities.
“The programme aims to ensure that all interventions within a ward communicate and co-ordinate effectively,” he stated.
The minister observed that many development programmes are currently run in parallel across states and local governments without adequate co-ordination, leading to duplication, inefficiencies, and service gaps.
He stressed that stronger co-ordination among government institutions, development partners, humanitarian organisations, and community stakeholders would significantly improve development outcomes and the delivery of social protection.
Bagudu further urged local government chairmen to take ownership of development programmes within their jurisdictions, describing them as the level of government closest to the people.
“Local government chairmen, as the chief executives of their councils, must take ownership of development outcomes within their jurisdictions,” he said.
He added that leadership at the local level should extend beyond seeking increased allocations to identifying and maximising the economic opportunities already present within communities.
The minister maintained that many local governments across Nigeria possess enormous untapped economic potential, which, if properly harnessed through collaboration with state and federal authorities, could drive prosperity, inclusion, and grassroots development.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and to ensure that economic reforms deliver tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
The minister noted that at the heart of governance in Nigeria is the achievement of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as set out in the country’s constitution.
He noted that although inclusion remains a national aspiration, many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, insecurity, and market failures despite working hard to earn a living.
“We must recognise that many hardworking Nigerians, farmers, fishermen, herders, traders, and small business owners, often do not receive returns commensurate with their effort. This makes social protection and inclusive governance necessary,” he said.
Bagudu emphasised that effective social protection requires a co-ordinated “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach, involving federal, state, and local governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and community stakeholders.
The minister highlighted the importance of Section 13 of the constitution, which mandates all authorities exercising governmental powers to work collectively to achieve national development objectives.
According to him, local government chairmen, governors, and the president are constitutionally obliged to collaborate to ensure inclusive growth and improved living conditions for Nigerians.
He further explained that the 2017 National Social Protection Policy established key intervention programmes and structures, including the National Social Safety Nets Co-ordinating Office (NASSCO), N-Power, and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
Bagudu also underscored President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive development and grassroots-driven reforms.
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