Politics
Appreciating Bagudu’s Quiet Revolution in Economic Planning
Appreciating Bagudu’s Quiet Revolution in Economic Planning
By Ochonu Ochonu
In a country where economic plans often spark more debate than results, Senator Atiku Bagudu is rewriting the narrative with a rare blend of discipline and vision. As Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the former Kebbi governor is turning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into a framework that delivers for our country and the cotizens. His appointment was no gamble—Bagudu’s track record of fiscal prudence and bold reforms has made his ministry a linchpin for Nigeria’s prosperity, proving that steady leadership can outshine the loudest promises.
Bagudu carries a reputation for getting things done—not with fanfare, but with the steady resolve of someone who knows a single policy can change millions of lives. His work, rooted in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is quietly reshaping Nigeria’s economic narrative, weaving stability and opportunity into a nation hungry for progress.
Bagudu’s journey to this moment began in Kebbi, where he governed from 2015 to 2023. There, he earned a rare accolade: leaving office with a healthy treasury, not a trail of debts like many of his peers. Farmers in Birnin Kebbi still talk about his rice revolution, a program that turned Kebbi into Nigeria’s rice basket, boosting local incomes and cutting import bills. That knack for practical solutions now defines his role as minister, where he’s tasked with aligning budgets to Tinubu’s vision of national integration, job creation, and social progress, as mandated by Chapter Two of Nigeria’s Constitution.
When Bagudu took office, Nigeria’s economic planning was often criticised as reactive, bogged down by short-term fixes. He saw a bigger canvas. Drawing on his experience in international finance—he holds a master’s in economics from the University of Jos and trained at Columbia University—Bagudu introduced a strategic edge to the ministry. He pushed for policies that look beyond oil, prioritising agriculture and technology to diversify Nigeria’s economy. His National Development Plan (2021–2025), still a guiding framework, emphasises measurable outcomes, ensuring funds flow to projects that deliver tangible results, from irrigation schemes to tech hubs.
One of Bagudu’s standout moves has been stabilising the naira, a feat many thought impossible amid global economic headwinds. By coordinating with the Central Bank and international partners like the IMF, he’s helped tighten fiscal leakages, boosting investor confidence. In 2024, foreign direct investment in Nigeria’s non-oil sectors rose by 15%, a nod to Bagudu’s ability to project stability. His knack for storytelling—using relatable anecdotes about farmers or small traders—has made complex policies accessible, rallying public support for reforms that might otherwise feel distant.
Agriculture, a cornerstone of Tinubu’s agenda, has been a focal point. Bagudu has fast-tracked funding for programs like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, empowering smallholder farmers with loans and training. In 2024 alone, over 200,000 farmers benefited, increasing maize and rice yields by 12%, according to ministry data. His push for modern technology—think drone-assisted farming and digital marketplaces—has brought Nigeria’s rural economy into the 21st century, reducing reliance on oil and sparking growth in exports like sesame and cashew.
Bagudu’s global outlook sets him apart. His years of fostering international collaborations, from World Bank partnerships to bilateral deals with China, have unlocked funding for infrastructure. A $1.2 billion loan secured from the AfDB in 2024 for rural roads and power grids bears his fingerprints, aimed at connecting remote communities to markets. Yet, he remains grounded, often reflecting on his Kebbi days when he walked through rice fields, listening to farmers’ struggles. That empathy drives his welfare programs, like cash transfers for vulnerable households, which reached 3 million families last year.
Nigeria’s political landscape is no easy terrain. Bagudu’s insistence on financial prudence—rejecting bloated contracts and shadowy deals—has ruffled feathers but earned him respect among reformers. His ministry’s open-data portal, launched in 2024, lets citizens track budget spending, a bold move in a country where opacity often breeds mistrust. This transparency has not only curbed waste but also empowered Nigerians to demand accountability, a quiet shift toward participatory governance.
As Nigeria eyes its 2050 prosperity goal, Bagudu’s work is laying the foundation. His focus on long-term planning—anticipating climate risks and youth unemployment—ensures today’s budgets don’t mortgage tomorrow’s dreams. In a nation where leaders are often judged by their failures, Bagudu stands out for his discipline and foresight. He’s not chasing headlines; he’s chasing results, proving that leadership can still inspire. From Kebbi’s rice fields to Abuja’s policy rooms, Atiku Bagudu is building a Nigeria where progress isn’t just a promise—it’s a plan.
Ochonu writes from Oxford University, UK.
Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention.
Governor Umaru Bago has inaugurated the Digital Media Sub-Committee for the forthcoming National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scheduled to hold on March 27 and 28, 2026 in Abuja.
Chairing the sub-committee, Governor Bago tasked members with the responsibility of effectively communicating the party’s manifesto to the public.
He emphasized the need to leverage social media platforms to highlight the achievements and ongoing efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that communication gaps have posed challenges that must now be decisively addressed.
The Co-Chair of the sub-committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, echoed the Governor’s position, urging members to project the activities of both the party and the government to a broader audience.
He called for a deliberate and coordinated effort to showcase the party’s achievements and policy direction, stressing the importance of shaping a compelling and consistent narrative across all digital platforms.
Delivering a presentation to the committee, Otega Ogra, SSA to the President on New Media, who serves as Secretary of the sub-committee, outlined strategic focus areas to guide the team’s operations.
His presentation highlighted communication priorities and actionable steps to achieve the committee’s mandate and strengthen the party’s digital engagement.
VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finalized plans to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima for the formal defection and reception of Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling party, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
State APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani Maikatako, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, the state capital. He noted that the Vice President would be joined by the party’s national leadership to mark what he described as a landmark political realignment in the state.
Maikatako expressed the party’s excitement over Governor Lawal’s return, recalling that Zamfara had historically been an APC stronghold and that the Governor was previously a bona fide member of the party before his earlier exit.
“We all know that Zamfara has long been one of the APC’s stronghold states, where the defected Governor was once a bona fide member. Now that he has decided to return home, having been satisfied that the APC remains his second choice after the one he left for obvious reasons,” Maikatako stated.
The Chairman called on all party faithful across the 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas to turn out en masse to honour the Vice President’s visit. He emphasized that the event was strategically positioned to bolster the party’s popularity and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strong appeal for unity, Maikatako urged members to set aside all factional tendencies, stressing that the APC remained one political family with shared goals, particularly the ambition to make Zamfara and Nigeria great again.
Echoing similar sentiments, a former state APC Chairman, Lawal M. Liman, appealed to members to cascade the message to their wards and local government areas. He reinforced the need for cohesion, noting that the party’s collective strength would be critical to achieving success in future elections.
All eyes are now on Gusau as the ruling party prepares for a high-profile political gathering expected to further consolidate its influence in Zamfara State.
Governor Dauda Lawal Named Part of Presidential Delegation for Historic UK State Visit
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been named as a member of the presidential entourage that will accompany President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on a historic two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from the Zamfara State Government House on Monday, the Governor will depart Abuja for the UK on Tuesday for the visit, which is scheduled to take place on March 18 and 19 at the invitation of the British Royal Family.
During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu, the First Lady, and the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria. The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests on the evening of Wednesday, March 18.
The presidency has outlined that the purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which are expected to lead to expanded bilateral discussions and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which showcases contemporary art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
The Zamfara State Government expressed confidence that Governor Lawal’s participation in the high-level delegation will provide valuable networking opportunities, opening significant prospects for investment and economic benefits for Zamfara State. The visit will also see Governor Lawal display his repertoire of knowledge on global policy and corporate governance and also pitch the Mineral and Farming rich state to potential investors during the bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
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