The federal government and Nigerian states have agreed to jointly empower 1,000 economically active persons in each of the country’s 8,809 wards, as part of the new Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme. This initiative was announced by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, following a special National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Bagudu described the programme as a “very historic step” aimed at supporting the ongoing macroeconomic reforms by driving economic activity to the grassroots. By targeting wards directly, the scheme hopes to generate employment, reduce poverty, enhance food security, and improve social protection nationwide.
The minister emphasized the constitutional mandate for all tiers of government federal, state, and local to collaborate in harnessing national resources for prosperity and a self-reliant economy. The Renewed Hope Programme will be jointly funded by increased federation account revenues and other federal and state initiatives, with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning serving as its secretariat.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and APC chairman expressed optimism that the programme will accelerate development impact by ensuring benefits reach the grassroots level.
Additionally, President Tinubu acknowledged environmental impact assessment challenges linked to major infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar coastal road and Sokoto-Badagry road. He called for collaboration between the federal government and states to establish a committee that will fast-track project completion.
