Hadiza Bala Highlights Role of States in Driving Inclusive Growth at NEC Conference
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, has underscored the critical role of subnational governments in delivering inclusive growth and sustainable development across Nigeria.
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Bala Usman spoke as a panelist at the 2nd edition of the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan,” held at the State House Banquet Hall.
The high-level conference brought together President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, all 36 state governors, and key national stakeholders to deliberate on how Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms can translate into tangible benefits for citizens at all levels of government.
In her intervention, Bala Usman stressed the importance of effective fiscal coordination within Nigeria’s federal system, noting that while coordination mechanisms already exist, the next phase must focus on empowering states to take ownership of clearly defined economic pillars that directly influence growth within their local economies. She commended the National Economic Council for fostering trust and shared responsibility at the subnational level, enabling states to better align policy objectives with on-the-ground implementation.
She also highlighted the significance of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements, urging states to channel allocations into productive economic activities. Referencing discussions on agriculture, Bala Usman emphasised the need to examine the full reinvestment cycle within the agricultural value chain, particularly how farmers reinvest proceeds from sales into subsequent production cycles. According to her, this process is key to sustainably addressing food prices and requires close alignment between federal agricultural policies and state-level execution.
Drawing from her experience at the subnational level, the Special Adviser addressed the structural challenge of high recurrent expenditure, including salaries and overhead costs, which often consume a large share of state revenues. She called for a more strategic balance between recurrent and capital spending, advocating targeted investments in infrastructure, improved education outcomes through enhanced teacher training, and strengthened healthcare delivery, including the training and retention of essential health workers such as nurses.
Bala Usman also referenced President Tinubu’s ward-based development programme, describing it as a potentially transformative initiative capable of delivering measurable, community-level impact. She noted that the programme could mark a turning point in governance by enabling targeted interventions at the ward level and ensuring that economic growth is felt directly by citizens.
She further stressed that positive macroeconomic indicators such as GDP growth and inflation moderation must not remain abstract figures. As political leaders engage more closely with citizens, she said economic data must be translated into real-life outcomes Nigerians can feel daily, including affordable food prices, job creation, and improved access to basic services.
Bala Usman reaffirmed that achieving inclusive growth will require deliberate coordination, accountability across all tiers of government, and a sustained focus on outcomes that improve the lived experience of Nigerians. She expressed appreciation to the organisers of the conference for creating a platform to advance national dialogue on implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda through practical, people-centred development.
Hadiza Bala Highlights Role of States in Driving Inclusive Growth at NEC Conference