By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
At a breakfast meeting during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), on Tuesday, in Abuja, Minister of Budget and National Economic Planning, Hon. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to lifting Nigerians out of poverty, one ward at a time, stating that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme is
“From Wards to Wealth, Minister Bagudu, made this disclosure in a bold National Plan to End Poverty by 2030.
Themed “Setting a National Productivity Growth Agenda,” the minister described the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme as a core part of the Tinubu administration’s drive to build a $1 trillion economy and ensure no Nigerian is left behind by 2030.
According to Bagudu, the ambitious Renewed Hope Ward Development initiative involves economic mapping of all 8,809 political wards across the country to identify unique local opportunities for job creation, investment, and community development.
“We’re asking: What can we do to make life better in each ward? What industries can grow there? What jobs can be created?” he said.
Bagudu used the NESG platform, a historic partnership between the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the private sector, to highlight key reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
“Let’s be clear: the scale of reforms we’ve introduced, removing fuel subsidies, floating the naira, tax reforms, power sector deregulation, has never been done at once by any country,” he noted.
He acknowledged that these changes come with short-term hardship, but emphasized that the long-term gains will be worth it.
To soften the initial shocks of reform, Bagudu listed several safety net measures the government has put in place:
Expanded Conditional Cash Transfers for vulnerable households.
Student Loans to keep education accessible
“These aren’t just promises. These are deliberate policies to ease the transition while the economy adjusts,” Bagudu said.
The Minister praised the quality of discussions at NESG and thanked private sector leaders, development partners, and citizens for engaging critically with the government’s agenda.
“We in government are just one team. The private sector, the civil society, Nigerians everywhere, you’re all part of this effort to build a better country,” he said.
Bagudu revealed that the Ministry is already working on the successor plan to the 2021–2025 National Development Plan, a roadmap that will focus on ending poverty, growing GDP, and building an inclusive economy.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape Nigeria’s economic future. We must get it right.”
Bagudu ended on a hopeful note, saying Nigerians are showing resilience, understanding, and patience in the face of tough decisions.
“Nigerians listened to Mr. President, they understood the why, and that gives us hope. These reforms may be hard, but they’re necessary. And we’re doing everything possible to ensure the benefits reach every corner of this country.”