Tinubu Targets 10m Nigerians in Massive Ward-Level Economic Overhaul
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has unveiled a targeted economic strategy aimed at lifting 10 million citizens out of poverty through a comprehensive restructuring of local governance and grassroots commerce.
This initiative, titled the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, focuses on direct intervention within the nation’s 8,809 wards to stimulate sustainable growth.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, detailed the administration’s vision following his appointment as the Grand Patron of the National Councillors’ Forum of Nigeria. The programme marks a shift toward hyper-local economic mapping, ensuring that federal support reaches the specific commercial needs of communities across the federation.
The core of the strategy involves a systematic assessment of the dominant commercial activities in every ward. By identifying these local economic drivers, the government intends to provide tailored support to eligible businesses and individuals.
“With about 10 million citizens expected to benefit from the initiative, the Bola Tinubu administration’s poverty-reduction objective would receive a significant boost,” Bagudu stated during the weekend briefing. He noted that the programme seeks to spark vibrant economic activity by empowering the primary industries that sustain local populations.
The Minister expressed that his new role with the councillors serves as a personal catalyst to intensify his work. “I am humbled by the honour and it will spur me to redouble my efforts to stimulate the grassroots economy for the benefit of the majority of the people,” he said.
The National Councillors’ Forum, representing all 8,809 serving councillors in Nigeria, formally extended the patronage to Bagudu in recognition of his service to national development. The forum’s leadership believes the Minister’s expertise is vital for fostering better governance at the foundation of the Nigerian political system.
In a letter dated April 23, 2026, signed by the forum’s President, Hon. Abdulrazak Sama’ila, the group noted that the Minister’s career made him a natural choice for the position. “Your dedication to public service and to the development of our country make you a perfect fit for this prestigious position,” the letter read.
Sama’ila further explained that the councillors expect the Minister to play a central role in promoting transparency and accountability at the local level. The forum intends to leverage Bagudu’s insights to ensure that the Renewed Hope mandates are executed effectively within their respective constituencies.
The engagement also served as a platform for the forum to voice its support for the current administration’s broader fiscal policies. Bagudu expressed gratitude to the councillors for their backing of the President, noting that their endorsement of a second term for the administration suggests a growing public appreciation for the current economic trajectory.
According to the Minister, the support from the councillors indicates that the ongoing reforms are yielding tangible improvements in the national economy. By aligning the federal planning ministry with the frontline representatives of the people, the administration hopes to bridge the gap between high-level policy and the daily economic realities of the Nigerian populace.
