President Muhammadu Buhari has launched a new long-term national development plan, the Nigeria Agenda 2050 (NA 2050), which aims to ensure that the country attains a Per Capital GDP of $33,328 per annum, placing her among the top middle-income economies in the world by 2050.
The President inaugurated NA 2050 before the commencement of the meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation at the Council Chamber.
He said the Plan has the vision of a dynamic, industrialized and knowledge-based economy that generates inclusive and sustainable development for the country.
President Buhari added that given the measures already in place for continuous plan implementation, successive Administrations will find the document useful in the delivery of electoral promises.
‘‘You will recall that in March, 2020, I approved the development of successor Plans to both Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017-2020. The Plans lapsed in December, 2020.
Commending the National Steering Committee, led by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, for delivering yet again, on this important national assignment, the President described the unveiling and public presentation of NA 2050 as another milestone in the ‘‘annals of history of our planning experience, post-independence.’’
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He added that this feat has also shown the Administration’s commitment to planning and plan implementation since assumption of office on May 29, 2015.
On the process for the preparation of the Plan, the Minister of Finance stated that it was not only participatory and consultative but inclusive; involving all critical stakeholders such as, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as well as the representatives of Local Government Areas (LGAs).
She listed other stakeholders as the Organised Private Sector, youth organizations, labour unions, traditional and religious institutions, major political parties, women organizations, people with special needs, among others.
Ahmed also told the President and other ECF members present at the inauguration that with the expected improved capital accumulation, investment as a ratio of GDP is expected to increase from the current 29.40 percent to 40.11 percent by 2050.
She explained that under the Plan, the bulk of the investment is expected to be financed by the private sector while total employment is expected to rise to 203.41 million in 2050 from 46.49 million in 2020.
‘‘This implies that unemployment will drop significantly to 6.3 percent in 2050 from 33.3 percent in 2020. The corollary is that the number of people in poverty will drop to 2.1 percent by 2050 from 83 million in 2020,’’ the Finance Minister said.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
