The federal government and state governors have introduced a new initiative — the renewed hope ward development programme — aimed at creating employment, enhancing food security, and alleviating poverty.

The initiative was introduced on Thursday during a session of the national economic council (NEC) chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.

Reports indicate that the scheme is designed to directly empower at least 1,000 economically active individuals in every ward across Nigeria, thereby stimulating grassroots economic growth.

While addressing the press after the meeting, Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, said President Bola Tinubu, who was present at the meeting, described the programme as “a historic next step” in the administration’s reform agenda.

“Having stabilised the macroeconomy, the next step is to drill development down to the lowest levels so that, in all 8,809 wards, we can stimulate economic activity that will generate employment, reduce poverty, enhance food security, and strengthen social protection,” Bagudu said.

He noted that the programme will be co-funded by the federal, state, and local governments, capitalising on rising revenues from the federation account and complementing other development initiatives.

Bagudu explained that the project is grounded in Chapter Two of the Nigerian constitution, which compels all levels of government to harness national resources and encourage a self-reliant economy.

He referred to the effort as “a federation project” and said NEC approved his ministry to coordinate the programme as its secretariat.

Citing the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV report, he pointed out that Tinubu’s reforms — including the removal of petrol subsidies, unification of foreign exchange (FX) markets, and improved revenue mobilisation — have strengthened Nigeria’s economic foundations.

“Mr president believes that to reduce poverty and food insecurity, we must invest collaboratively in the creative energy of Nigerians in every ward. Having achieved macroeconomic stability, this programme is the natural next step,” he said.

Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo state, also spoke and confirmed the council’s unanimous support for the initiative, describing it as a tool to ensure reforms reach “the common man on the street.”

“The country is earning more money now, and so are subnational governments,” Uzodinma said.

“The president brought a programme that will fast-track the process of this additional money making a bigger impact by trickling down to the grassroots.

“This is how Nigerians will begin to feel the renewed hope agenda at their level.”

He highlighted that Tinubu’s reform policies are beginning to yield positive outcomes and emphasised the need to channel those benefits to the grassroots.

Uzodinma also mentioned that NEC deliberated on environmental impact assessments for major infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal road and the Sokoto-Badagry highway.

He said the council plans to establish a committee to align federal and state actions for the swift execution of these projects.

Nigeria, along with several other African nations, has been subjected to a 15 percent import tariff following a broad executive directive issued by United States President Donald Trump.

The White House disclosed the updated reciprocal tariff framework on Thursday.

Back in April, Trump had introduced extensive tariffs on various international trade partners, placing a 14 percent duty on Nigeria.

The implementation of these “reciprocal” tariffs was initially delayed for 90 days to allow time for bilateral trade negotiations, with the new deadline set for August 1.

Despite the extensions, most discussions did not lead to any new trade arrangements, prompting the enforcement of higher tariffs as part of Trump’s updated global trade strategy.

Across Africa, the United States was unable to finalize a single trade agreement, despite considerable efforts made by officials from both sides.

While countries explored options to navigate the tariff challenges, Trump also placed travel bans on multiple African nations.

Nigeria was not part of the original list, but was eventually included as the policy developed further.

Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, mentioned that West African countries had intentions to enhance trade relations with the US but saw the travel bans as a major hindrance.

Here is the breakdown of the revised tariff categories:

10% – Falkland Islands, United Kingdom, and all other nations excluded from the executive order
15% – Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
18% – Nicaragua
19% – Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines
20% – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam
25% – Brunei, India, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tunisia
30% – Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya, South Africa
35% – Iraq, Serbia
39% – Switzerland
40% – Laos, Myanmar (Burma)
41% – Syria

China, which remains in a prolonged trade dispute with the United States, is still actively negotiating with the Trump administration.

Canada received a 35 percent tariff, while Mexico was hit with several levies including 25 percent on fentanyl, 25 percent on automobiles, and 50 percent on steel, aluminum, and copper, all of which will take effect in 90 days.

Brazil was initially given a 10 percent tariff.

However, an additional 40 percent duty was introduced on Thursday, raising Brazil’s total tariff rate to 50 percent.

Olufemi Oluyede, chief of army staff (COAS), has stated that the Nigerian Army does not have the financial capacity to provide accommodation for incoming recruits.

According to Punch, Oluyede made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a visit by the senate committee on army to the army headquarters.

While expressing appreciation to the committee for their support, he pointed out that the current method of funding, particularly the envelope budgeting system, falls short of meeting the army’s operational demands.

He appealed to the committee to consider allocating special funds outside the envelope budgeting model so the army can effectively deliver combat support and provide necessary welfare infrastructure.

“As we speak, the army is still challenged in terms of operational efficiency. This year alone, we are expecting about 13,000 new personnel, but there are no corresponding resources to provide accommodation for them,” the army chief said.

“We still have soldiers not being accommodated, and that number will continue to grow.

“We are not only looking at maybe insecurity within, but what if someday we are challenged from outside?

“So, I want to pray that you please look at that, and at the same time, look at how we can get special funds to provide accommodation for our soldiers. It’s very critical.”

Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, who chairs the senate committee, acknowledged the financial limitations the army faces and assured that the panel would push for enhanced funding.

“The Nigerian Army and Armed Forces should be removed from the envelope budgeting system so they have more funds to carry out their mandate. We’ve seen the need during our oversight visits,” Yar’Adua said.

“We want to assure the chief of army staff of our continued support and collaboration with the executive to ensure the army is adequately funded.”

He added that the committee had been divided into two teams to inspect army bases in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos states.

He explained that the inspection is in accordance with the constitution and senate procedures to guarantee proper use of approved funds.