Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for patriotism, caution, and deeper collaboration between labour and industry, warning that “Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us.”
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima cautioned against actions capable of derailing the country’s economic recovery, citing the need to protect strategic national investments such as the Dangote Refinery, which he described as “an institution, not an individual.”
“How we treat Aliko Dangote will determine how outsiders will judge us,” the Vice President declared. “If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he might be worth $80 billion today, but he chose to invest in his country. We owe it to future generations to protect, promote, preserve, and project the interests of this great Nigeria.”
Shettima’s remark drew attention to ongoing industrial disputes and tensions between labour unions and the private sector. He urged both sides to embrace dialogue, warning that “it’s not about holding the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute.”
Delivering President Tinubu’s message at the summit themed “Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030,” the Vice President assured Nigerians that the administration’s bold economic reforms are beginning to yield tangible results across key sectors.
According to him, Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.23 percent in September 2025 surpassing projections by global and local agencies while non-oil revenues increased by 411 percent year-on-year. He also disclosed that the country’s external reserves now stand at $43 billion as of September, with total revenue collection surging from ₦19.9 trillion in 2023 to ₦27.8 trillion by August 2025.
He added that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio has dropped from 97 percent to below 50 percent, and the country’s sovereign rating has been upgraded to a stable outlook by international agencies, reflecting renewed investor confidence.
“These numbers tell the story of a nation prepared for the present. They represent the promise we made to Nigeria,” Shettima said. “We came to office fully aware that the secret to a successful federation lies in empowering each federating unit with the resources and autonomy to fulfil development peculiar to its needs.”
On job creation and productivity, the Vice President highlighted government initiatives in agriculture, solid minerals, and MSME support, revealing that a $200 billion intervention fund had been established to help micro and small businesses overcome structural challenges.
He also disclosed that the administration is investing heavily in infrastructure, with over 440 road projects covering 2,700 kilometres of highways nationwide, and has launched the Renewed Hope Work-Based Development Programme to empower communities across all 774 local government areas.
Shettima called on subnational governments to align their policies with the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that “diversification, innovation, and inclusivity” remain the pillars of Nigeria’s long-term growth.
Concluding his address, the Vice President reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s determination to build an economy that “works for all Nigerians.”
“We will industrialise through power, logistics, and technology. We will humanise governance so that every citizen feels respected and served,” he said. “Our challenges are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. Together, we can build a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria by 2030.”
