Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima has called for closer alignment between Nigeria’s development plans and annual budgets to drive economic growth and improve living standards.
The Vice President made the call while speaking at a two-day policy dialogue organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs in Abuja.
VP Shettima said that the meeting supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the Federal Government’s decision to raise the 2026 budget to ₦68 trillion shows its commitment to people-focused development.
The Vice President also explained that the ongoing tax reforms and lower tariffs on essential goods are expected to boost revenue and productivity in agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare.
“The administration remains committed to reducing poverty and improving living standards in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
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On his part, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio said that the national assembly is committed to a smooth budget implementation in Nigeria.
He said the two day dialogue will help strengthen budget planning and development.
The Senate President said that, there is the need for stronger synergy amongst the agencies of government to improve budget process.
The Former Director General of the Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze advised the government to update the public procurement act.
He called for the delienation of responsibilities amongst budget based agencies of government.
Mr Nwabueze also urged the end to end digitization of budget process to avoid loopholes.
He added that the government needs to prescribe penalties for infractions.
The theme of the dialogue was, “The Imperative of National Development Plan And Effective Budgeting System For Sustainable Growth Of The Nigerian Economy.”
It brought together key economic and players in the budgeting sector.
