President Tinubu Rebuilding Stronger Economy States Can Rely On – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima says the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu are rebuilding the foundations of Nigeria’s economy and creating stronger, more viable subnational economies across the federation.

Shettima stated this on Wednesday during the Nasarawa Investment Summit 2026 held in Lafia, where he said the administration’s reform agenda is designed to reduce dependence of states on the Federal Government through fiscal reforms, improved allocations, energy sector reforms, tax restructuring, and investment-friendly policies.

According to him, the reforms are already transforming states into centres of enterprise, innovation, and industrial growth.

“At the national level, we are rebuilding the pillars every state depends on: energy reliability, fiscal balance, tax reform, and a single digital gateway for investment,” the Vice President said.

He noted that ongoing reforms in the power sector are creating opportunities for increased state participation, adding that projects linked to the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline and the Abuja industrial corridor would complement Nasarawa State’s Gas Master Plan and position the region as a major energy hub.

Shettima explained that the Tinubu administration deliberately made subnational economies central to its reform agenda because strong federating units drive national development globally.

“All over the world, nations that move fastest are powered by strong federating units and Nigeria is embracing that truth as our subnationals are becoming centres of enterprise, policy innovation, and industrial energy,” he stated.

The Vice President said the reforms have given states more room to invest, innovate, and respond to the needs of their people, while promoting fiscal discipline and competitiveness.

He also described the “Lafia Declaration” signed at the summit as an economic covenant that guarantees policy continuity and assures investors that Nasarawa’s development plans will outlive political transitions.

Highlighting gains from the reforms, Shettima said capital inflows into Nigeria increased from 12.32 billion dollars in 2024 to 23.22 billion dollars in 2025, while the stock market recorded a 51.19 per cent return in 2025, with market capitalisation reaching 99.38 trillion naira.

“Investors are beginning to read Nigeria again as a country willing to correct itself, a country prepared to take difficult decisions in defence of its future,” he said.

The Vice President commended the Nasarawa State Government for aligning its programmes with the Renewed Hope Agenda through initiatives such as the establishment of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency and the One Stop Investment Centre.

Earlier, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the summit was organised to reinforce investor confidence and demonstrate continuity in governance and policy direction in the state.

Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the Tinubu administration’s reforms were necessary to manage economic disruptions and create long-term benefits for states.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with states to attract investments and strengthen local production for global markets.

The Managing Director of the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency, Barrister Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed that the agency has attracted over two billion dollars in investments into the state.