Shettima: Tinubu Committed to Economic Diversification as FG Considers Task Team on Good Architecture
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to diversifying Nigeria’s economy, stressing that the administration has the political will to take bold decisions.
Shettima gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), led by its President, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He cited the President’s recent visit to Brazil, which produced five Memoranda of Understanding across aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture, as evidence of deliberate steps toward economic diversification.
“In President Tinubu, you have an ally, a friend who understands the language of business and commerce and has the political courage to act,” the Vice President said, urging the society to provide robust policy inputs that would support the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The NES delegation praised the administration’s reforms as “bold and profound,” while calling for the reactivation of the Economic Intelligence Unit in the Presidency to strengthen evidence-based policymaking. Prof. Adenikinju also announced that Shettima will be conferred with the society’s highest award, the *Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES)*, at its forthcoming national conference on September 9 in Abuja.
In a related development, the Federal Government is considering the creation of a presidential task team to conceptualize and operationalize good architecture in Nigeria as part of efforts to standardize the country’s architectural framework.
This followed a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) led by its President, Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi, during which the Vice President was named Nigeria’s Champion of Good Architecture. Shettima assured the body of government’s support, pledging collaboration to harness the expertise of more than 10,000 architects across the country.
“I want to assure you that in President Tinubu you have a formidable ally. Together, we can make this country a great nation,” the Vice President said.
The NIA President described architecture as a driver of economic resilience and social progress, noting challenges such as poor compliance with design standards, reliance on imported building materials, and limited capacity for advanced projects. She invited Shettima to the Institute’s 65th Annual General Meeting in November, where he will be conferred with an Honorary Fellowship.
