ABUJA — The National Economic Council (NEC), at its 152nd meeting, once again avoided deliberations on the long-pending issue of establishing State Police, despite widespread expectations that it would be a priority discussion item in addressing insecurity across the country.
Instead, the Council approved the nationwide rollout of solar-powered irrigation pumps developed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). The initiative is targeted at boosting agricultural output during the 2025 dry season, reducing farmers’ dependence on petrol-powered pumps, and enhancing food security.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier expressed strong support for the creation of State Police, a move that received widespread commendation from various quarters. Similarly, no fewer than 34 state governors have publicly declared their backing for the proposal. Nevertheless, insiders revealed that the matter was not even listed on the agenda of Thursday’s NEC meeting, despite its significance.
Focus on Food Security
The Council’s endorsement of the NASENI solar irrigation pumps is seen as a key step in advancing the administration’s food security agenda. The pumps are expected to increase yields, cut costs for farmers, raise incomes, and improve rural livelihoods.
In preparation for the rollout, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, was directed to design funding modalities that would enable NASENI to commence mass production and distribution ahead of the dry season.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the meeting, described the innovation as a showcase of Nigerian creativity and global competitiveness.
> “Their advanced features, including GPS tracking, mobile app dashboards, usage monitoring, and pay-as-you-go integration, prove that Nigerian ingenuity can compete with the world,” he noted.
The Vice President also highlighted ongoing measures to strengthen food security, including the insurance of 250,000 farmers across eight states, progress on the 30% Value Addition Bill, and the activation of a ₦250 billion Bank of Agriculture facility for smallholder farmers.
Financial Updates
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori provided updates on Nigeria’s accounts as of September 17, 2025. He disclosed that the Excess Crude Account stood at $535,823.39, the Stabilization Account was ₦83.49 billion, while the Natural Resources Account had a balance of ₦125.82 billion.
In addition, Senator Bagudu announced that the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) had briefed NEC on preparations for the forthcoming 31st Nigerian Economic Summit.
Flood Preparedness Strategy
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum revealed that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu briefed the Council on an Anticipatory Action Framework designed to mitigate the humanitarian and economic effects of riverine flooding. The strategy emphasizes early warnings, preparedness, and coordinated responses.
The NEC further recommended that governors enhance risk communication through state channels such as local radio, town halls, and public broadcasts, while strengthening State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) with resources, equipment, and training to better handle flood-related emergencies.
