NEC sidesteps state police debate again, focuses on food security, solar-powered water pumps

At its 152nd meeting, the National Economic Council (NEC) once again avoided deliberating on the long-standing issue of State Police, despite mounting insecurity across the country and widespread public and political support for its implementation.

Although President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement of State Police has been widely praised, and at least 34 governors have voiced their support, the matter was noticeably absent from Thursday’s agenda. A source at the meeting confirmed, “It was not even in the agenda,” despite expectations that it would be a key topic for discussion.

While the State Police proposal was expected to take center stage due to its national importance, NEC instead turned its focus toward agriculture and food security, endorsing the nationwide rollout of solar-powered irrigation pumps developed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). These pumps are set to be deployed ahead of the 2025 dry season to support farmers and reduce dependence on costly petrol-powered alternatives.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the significance of this innovation, stating: “We must also face the challenge of innovation in agriculture. NASENI’s scaled-up solar irrigation pumps are ready for national rollout ahead of the 2025 dry season. These pumps replace expensive petrol-powered systems, lower farmers’ costs, expand dry-season cultivation, and even provide backup power for households.

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“Their advanced features, including GPS tracking, mobile app dashboards, usage monitoring, and pay-as-you-go integration, prove that Nigerian ingenuity can compete with the world.”

To facilitate production and distribution of the solar pumps in time for next year’s dry season, the Council mandated the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, to develop a funding strategy for NASENI.

Vice President Shettima also outlined broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to secure the nation’s food supply, revealing that: “250,000 farmers have been insured across eight states, the 30 percent Value Addition Bill is advancing, and the N250 billion Bank of Agriculture facility is being activated to reach smallholders.”

In addition to food security, the meeting addressed updates on national finances and preparations for seasonal disasters. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State reported NEC’s financial standing as of September 17, 2025. The Excess Crude Account held $535,823.39; the Stabilization Account, ₦83.49 billion; and the Natural Resources Account, ₦125.82 billion.

Senator Bagudu also noted that the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) briefed the Council on the upcoming 31st Nigerian Economic Summit.

On disaster preparedness, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State relayed a briefing from National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu regarding the Anticipatory Action Framework for Riverine Flooding. The strategy emphasizes early warning, targeted preparedness, and coordinated responses to mitigate the humanitarian and economic effects of flooding.

NEC subsequently advised state governors to intensify public awareness efforts in vulnerable communities through radio, town halls, and other local platforms. It also urged them to equip and fund their State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) to lead effective responses.

Despite calls for urgent security reform, NEC’s continued delay in addressing the State Police proposal leaves a critical gap in the national conversation on security.

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