President Tinubu’s Bold Economic Decisions Will Stand the Test of Time – Shettima
By Musa Ibrahim
The federal government is considering the establishment of a Presidential Task Team to be dedicated to the conceptualization and implementation of good architecture across the country, following calls from the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).
The proposed task team, once established, is expected to guide policy reforms, enhance local capacity, and promote architectural excellence as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s economic resilience and sustainable urban growth.
The calls were recently during a courtesy visit by the NIA, led by its President, Mobolaji Adealo Adeniyi, to Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Architecture as a Catalyst for Development
The NIA urged the government to elevate architectural design as a national priority, stressing its role in unlocking economic potential, improving urban planning, and enhancing public infrastructure. As part of its advocacy, the institute named the Vice President Nigeria’s Champion of Good Architecture, a move aimed at positioning design as a key driver of sustainable development.
Vice President Shettima, in response, pledged the administration’s full support for the institute’s proposals, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains a “formidable ally” committed to working with professionals to advance national growth.
“I want to assure you that all your requests are hereby granted,” he said. “We have more than 10,000 architects in this country; people with the exposure, experience, and technical knowledge to add value. Together, we can build a nation that reflects our aspirations and dignity.”
Vice President Shettima described President Tinubu as “a compassionate leader who would not even want to hurt a fly” but acknowledged that leadership requires making hard decisions for long-term national benefit. He urged the architects to support the administration’s policies, pledging reciprocal engagement through increased involvement in government projects and policies.
Earlier, Adeniyi outlined the institute’s vision to integrate architecture into the Renewed Hope mandate and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted the sector’s challenges, including:
- Deviations from standard design and construction practices,
- Shortage of locally manufactured building materials,
- Inadequate expertise for advanced structures,
- Supply chain bottlenecks, and
- Proliferation of sub-standard materials.
“Good architecture is not just about structures; it shapes our culture, our cities, and the lives of the people who inhabit them,” she said. “From schools and hospitals to transport hubs, markets, and green recreation areas, well-designed infrastructure drives societal progress.”
Looking Ahead: Annual Gathering to Set the Tone
Adeniyi invited the Vice President to the Institute’s 65th Annual General Meeting scheduled for November 26, 2025, themed: ‘Architectural Excellence for Economic Resilience.’ At the event, Vice President Shettima will, according to her, be conferred with the Honorary Fellowship of the Institute in recognition of his role in championing good architecture.
President Tinubu’s Bold Economic Decisions Will Stand the Test of Time – Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended President Bola Tinubu’s determination to diversify Nigeria’s economy, describing him as a leader with the political will to take tough but necessary decisions.
Speaking recently at the State House, Abuja, while hosting a delegation from the Nigerian Economic Society (NES) led by Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, the President of the NES, Vice President Shettima highlighted recent government initiatives, including the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Brazil covering aviation, foreign affairs, science and technology, and agriculture. He described the agreements as “deliberate and intentional steps” toward building a more resilient and diversified economy.
“In President Bola Tinubu, you have an ally, a friend who grew up in the same ecosystem as you, who speaks your language of business and commerce, who understands the economic terrain, and most importantly, who has the political courage,” he said.
The Vice President stressed that Nigeria, with its youthful population, is well-positioned to fill global talent gaps and turn its demographic potential into real economic dividends. Citing the country’s emergence as a hub for top African unicorns, the Vice President said the administration is committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation and enterprise under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Vice President Shettima urged the NES to contribute robust ideas and solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges, assuring that the government remains open to expert input and collaboration.
In his remarks, Prof. Adenikinju applauded President Tinubu administration’s reforms as “bold, profound, and yielding results,” and pledged the society’s support in advancing the government’s economic policies. He also recommended the reactivation of the Economic Intelligence Unit in the Presidency to provide evidence-based advisory to the government.
The NES further announced plans to confer its highest award, Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society (FNES), on Vice President Shettima at its forthcoming national conference scheduled for September 9 in Abuja.
