The Federal Government, in collaboration with state governments, has launched a new initiative aimed at creating 1,000 jobs in each of Nigeria’s 8,809 political wards to stimulate grassroots economic development, tackle poverty, and enhance food security.
The programme, tagged Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, was unveiled at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, described the programme as a “historic next step” in the Federal Government’s reform agenda.
“Having stabilised the macro-economy, the next step is to drill development down to the lowest levels so that, in all 8,809 wards, we can stimulate economic activity that will generate employment, reduce poverty, enhance food security, and strengthen social protection,” he said.
Bagudu explained that the programme would be funded jointly by the federal, state, and local governments through increased Federation Account revenues, and aligned with existing development initiatives.
The minister said the initiative draws inspiration from Chapter Two of the Constitution, which mandates all levels of government to harness the nation’s resources to build a dynamic and self-reliant economy.
He also stated that President Bola Tinubu was in attendance at the NEC meeting, during which he commended governors for their cooperation and reaffirmed his commitment to translating macroeconomic gains into tangible benefits for citizens.
Bagudu noted that the NEC passed a resolution to make the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning the secretariat of the ward development programme, adding that the initiative would complement the administration’s efforts to achieve a $1 trillion economy.
The minister referenced the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV report, which lauded Nigeria’s ongoing reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, and revenue administration improvements.
“Mr President believes that to reduce poverty and food insecurity, we must invest collaboratively in the creative energy of Nigerians in every ward,” Bagudu added.
Also addressing journalists, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo said the NEC unanimously endorsed the scheme, describing it as a grassroots-oriented initiative designed to make the benefits of reform visible to ordinary Nigerians.
“The country is earning more money now, and so are subnational governments,” Uzodinma said. “The president brought a programme that will fast-track the process of this additional money making a bigger impact by trickling down to the grassroots. This is how Nigerians will begin to feel the Renewed Hope agenda at their level.”
He disclosed that the Council also discussed the environmental impact assessments for major projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Road, with plans to establish a joint committee to fast-track their implementation.
With NEC’s endorsement, the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme is expected to bridge the gap between national economic reforms and the everyday realities of Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots level.
“The reform policies are beginning to yield fruits,” Uzodinma added. “Now, the focus is on making sure those fruits are felt all the way down to the grassroots.”
