The Federal Government says it is banking on a new Ward-Based Development Programme to deliver inclusive growth at the grassroots level, aligning it with the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Strategy.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this in Abuja at a one-day seminar on “Advancing Sustainable Development through the EU–Nigeria Development Cooperation and Instruments of Innovative Financing.”
Senator Bagudu explained that the initiative represents a bottom-up approach to governance that ensures every Nigerian community has access to essential services, infrastructure, and opportunities. “The Ward Development Programme is designed to bridge the gap between policy and people, while promoting inclusiveness, accountability, and sustainability,” he said.
He noted that the programme aligns with the EU’s focus on green transition, digital transformation, human capital, and resilient infrastructure. According to him, Nigeria’s ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are already stabilising the economy. However, he admitted that citizens are facing temporary hardships.
Bagudu assured that fiscal gains from the reforms will be equitably redistributed to cushion the effects, especially for the most vulnerable households. He added that targeted investments in infrastructure development, renewable energy, digital economy, and education would help strengthen long-term growth.
The minister praised the EU’s €900 million financing package covering energy, health, education, social protection, and peacebuilding, describing it as critical support for Nigeria’s national development goals. He pointed to the Emi Eko Project as a model of how EU-backed investments are already transforming livelihoods through climate-resilient and inclusive outcomes.
He stressed that the seminar was aimed at consolidating gains from the EU–Nigeria partnership by creating a structured framework for bankable projects, enhancing cooperation between government agencies, and ensuring accountability in the use of resources.
“With innovative financing models and strong cooperation, we can transform Nigeria’s development landscape one ward at a time,” Bagudu affirmed.