President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the National Steering Committee to oversee the development of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and Medium-Term National Development Plan, MTNDP, to succeed Vision 20: 2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, 2017 – 2020.
The National Steering Committee for the development of Successor Plans to Vision 20:2020 and ERGP will be jointly chaired by Atedo Peterside and Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Buhari said that the main objectives of the successor plans are to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 10 years, particularly given the World Bank’s projection that Nigeria will become the world’s third most populous country by 2050 with over 400 million people.
The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that it had become necessary to develop successor plans to the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and the ERGP, which both lapse in December this year, in order to ensure continuity and efficiency in the country’s development planning.
On the mandate of the National Steering Committee, President Buhari said it would oversee governance structure comprising the Central Working Group and 26 Technical Working Groups for the important national assignment.
President Buhari urged the National Steering Committee not to lose sight of the important role Nigeria plays on the continent as well as in the global community.
On the composition of the committee, the President said in order to ensure a truly consultative, participatory and inclusive planning process, the membership will comprise representatives of one State governor from each of the six geopolitical zones, the Senate and House of Representatives, ministers and representatives of key agencies.
Other members of the National Steering Committee are major political parties, ALGON, captains of industries, Labour Organizations, youth organizations and women’s societies, farmers’ associations, traditional and religious leaders, people with special needs, and members of the press.
In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, noted that lately, various zones of the country have been pursuing different economic cooperation within their areas.
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She, therefore, urged that the new plans consider the comparative advantages available in these regional blocs to build a virile Nigeria.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
