Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians, particularly labour and industry stakeholders, to demonstrate patriotism and restraint in their engagements, warning that “Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us.”
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit held in Abuja, the Vice President emphasized the need for collaboration and dialogue to sustain the nation’s economic recovery and protect strategic national investments.
Citing the Dangote Refinery as a key national asset, Shettima said it should be seen as an institution that represents Nigeria’s industrial ambition rather than the effort of an individual.
“How we treat Aliko Dangote will determine how outsiders will judge us,” he said. “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.”
The Vice President’s remarks came amid ongoing tensions between organized labour and private sector players. He cautioned against disruptions that could undermine economic progress, saying, “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,” Shettima assured that the administration’s bold reforms are beginning to yield measurable results across key sectors.
According to him, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.23 percent in September 2025, surpassing projections from both global and local analysts. He added that non-oil revenues increased by 411 percent year-on-year, while external reserves rose to $43 billion as of September. Total government revenue, he disclosed, surged from ₦19.9 trillion in 2023 to ₦27.8 trillion by August 2025.
Shettima further revealed that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio has dropped from 97 percent to below 50 percent, while the country’s sovereign rating has been upgraded to a stable outlook by international agencies, an indication of renewed investor confidence.
“These numbers tell the story of a nation prepared for the present. They represent the promise we made to Nigeria,” he stated. “We came to office fully aware that the secret to a successful federation lies in empowering each federating unit with the autonomy to pursue development suited to its needs.”
On employment and productivity, the Vice President announced the creation of a $200 billion intervention fund for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), aimed at addressing structural challenges and boosting local production.
He also highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, noting that the government is currently executing over 440 road projects covering 2,700 kilometres of highways across the country. In addition, the Renewed Hope Work-Based Development Programme, he said, is being implemented to empower communities in all 774 local government areas.
Shettima called on state governments to align their development plans with the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that Nigeria’s long-term growth must be anchored on diversification, innovation, and inclusivity.
Reaffirming the administration’s resolve to deliver an economy that works for every citizen, the Vice President declared: “We will industrialise through power, logistics, and technology. We will humanise governance so that every citizen feels respected and served. Our challenges are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. Together, we can build a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria by 2030.”