The National Economic Council (NEC), at its 152nd meeting on Thursday, once again avoided deliberations on the establishment of state police, despite growing calls to adopt the measure as a solution to rising insecurity across the country.
Instead, the Council endorsed solar-powered irrigation pumps developed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for nationwide deployment ahead of the 2025 dry season farming.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared support for state police, drawing commendations from across the country. At least 34 state governors have also publicly backed the initiative. The matter was previously listed for discussion at an earlier NEC session but was stepped down. Expectations were high that it would top Thursday’s agenda, but a source confirmed it was not tabled at all.
Boosting food security
The Council shifted focus to agricultural reforms, highlighting NASENI’s solar irrigation pumps as a key tool to enhance food production, reduce costs for farmers, and increase income levels.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the meeting, said the innovation reflected Nigeria’s capacity to compete globally.
“These pumps replace expensive petrol-powered systems, lower farmers’ costs, expand dry-season cultivation, and even provide backup power for households. Their advanced features, including GPS tracking, mobile dashboards, and pay-as-you-go integration, prove that Nigerian ingenuity can compete with the world,” he said.
To ensure timely distribution of the pumps, NEC directed the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, to design a funding plan that would enable NASENI to mass-produce the equipment ahead of the 2025 dry season.
Shettima also outlined other measures by the Tinubu administration to strengthen food security, including insurance cover for 250,000 farmers across eight states, progress on the 30 percent Value Addition Bill, and activation of a N250 billion Bank of Agriculture facility for smallholder farmers.
Financial update
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State provided updates on national accounts as of September 17, 2025. The Excess Crude Account stood at $535,823.39, the Stabilization Account at ₦83.49 billion, and the Natural Resources Account at ₦125.82 billion.
Bagudu also revealed that the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) briefed NEC on preparations for the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit.
Flood preparedness
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State disclosed that the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, presented the Anticipatory Action Framework for Riverine Flooding, a proactive strategy to mitigate humanitarian and economic impacts through early warning, preparedness, and coordinated response.
NEC further advised state governors to intensify risk communication to vulnerable communities via state broadcast outlets, town halls, and radio, while strengthening State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) with funding, equipment, and training to lead response efforts.
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