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By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has charged federal appointees to deepen their understanding of the policies and reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and effectively communicate their impact to Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots.
Bagudu gave the charge while delivering a keynote address at the Federal Appointees Strategic Summit on the presentation and review of ministerial and MDAs budget implementation.
He urged appointees to document the achievements of the government and ensure that citizens understand the objectives, progress and benefits of ongoing reforms.
The minister said the administration's economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange market reforms, were introduced against the backdrop of significant economic challenges.
He acknowledged that the reforms, coupled with international economic pressures, had contributed to rising living costs and other difficulties faced by Nigerians.
However, he maintained that the government remained committed to achieving long-term economic stability, inclusive growth and improved living standards.
According to Bagudu, the reforms have created opportunities to strengthen the fiscal position of the Federal Government, states and local governments, while providing sub-national governments with more resources to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
He said the increased revenue accruing to the three tiers of government reflected President Tinubu's commitment to strengthening fiscal federalism.
“Rather than keeping additional revenues at the centre, the President has taken the position that we should give local governments and states more money and energise everyone so that we can interrogate and fulfil our responsibilities,” he said.
Bagudu also highlighted measures taken by the Federal Government to address outstanding financial obligations to states, noting that the steps were aimed at strengthening the federation and improving public service delivery.
He recalled periods when several states struggled to pay workers' salaries despite relatively high international oil prices, while infrastructure and other public services remained constrained.
The minister said the improved fiscal position of states had created greater room for investment in infrastructure, education, security and other areas within their constitutional responsibilities.
Speaking on the wider economy, Bagudu said some economic indicators were beginning to show positive movement, including the country's revenue-to-GDP ratio.
He explained that taxation reforms were being implemented to improve efficiency and strengthen revenue mobilisation without unnecessarily burdening citizens.
The minister, however, noted that the gains were being pursued amid global uncertainties, conflicts and pressures on international trade and tariffs, which had continued to affect food prices and the cost of living.
He stressed that progress recorded so far should not be regarded as an endpoint, adding that President Tinubu had consistently challenged members of his administration to do more.
Bagudu said the administration's ambition was to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030, driven by inclusive growth capable of improving living standards and reducing poverty.
He described the target as ambitious but achievable, stressing the need to implement the necessary elements of the National Development Plan to support Nigeria's long-term economic transformation.
FG Seeks Wider Impact of Reforms
The minister further highlighted government efforts to strengthen domestic production and ensure that the benefits of economic reforms reach citizens at the grassroots.
He said discussions at the National Economic Council had focused on encouraging state governments to adopt measures that would boost domestic production and ensure that the gains of economic reforms were widely distributed.
On resource allocation, Bagudu dismissed suggestions that government spending was designed to favour particular parts of the country.
He explained that major areas of expenditure, including security, infrastructure and livelihood support, were driven by national objectives and intended to address the needs of Nigerians across the country.
According to him, security spending directly benefits communities affected by insecurity, while infrastructure investments improve connectivity, support economic activity and promote development across different locations.
He therefore urged federal appointees to remain focused on delivering on their mandates, documenting government achievements and communicating the impact of policies to the Nigerian people.