President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s government has launched a grassroots initiative to tackle poverty and boost economic growth across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards.
The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), unveiled at the 150th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, is set to reshape local economies and deepen federal impact at the community level.
Tinubu’s vision is clear: “Let us change the story of our people in the rural areas. The economy is working. We are on the path of recovery, but we need to stimulate growth in the rural areas.”
The RHWDP is part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to grow Nigeria’s economy to $1 trillion by 2030.
The programme sets minimum thresholds of 1,000 economic activities in smaller wards and 2,000 in larger ones, targeting job creation, food security, rural infrastructure, and power supply.
Federal Push for Local Impact
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, presented the strategy to NEC, describing it as a “historic next step” in Nigeria’s reform journey.
He said the programme would involve federal, state, and local governments, with the Ministry serving as secretariat and a National Steering Committee overseeing implementation.
To fast-track execution, Tinubu ordered the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation to be relocated to the Presidency.
This move is expected to eliminate bureaucratic delays and improve oversight of legacy infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, which have received over ₦3.65 trillion in approvals.
He also called for the expansion of the national school feeding programme, aiming to boost school enrolment and reduce child poverty.
Flood Preparedness and Emergency Funding
The NEC meeting also addressed Nigeria’s flood risks. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), presented a flood preparedness plan, warning of threats to over 1,200 communities.
In response, NEC directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to release emergency funds to states and agencies. Tinubu urged governors to strengthen State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and activate Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs).
The RHWDP draws legal backing from Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution and the Fifth Alteration Act, which mandate government action on food security and productivity.
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