Vice President Kashim Shettima has described President Bola Tinubu as courageous for taking bold economic decisions aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s economy to better serve its citizens. Speaking at the 15th Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Lecture (MEDL), held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, the Vice President drew parallels between governance and engineering, praising the President’s methodical and data-driven approach to leadership.
According to Shettima, the Tinubu administration is steering the country towards economic transformation rather than simply budgeting for survival. “We are budgeting for transformation. We are building systems that speak to productivity, to sustainability, and to prosperity,” he stated.
The Vice President referred to the lecture’s theme, “The Imperative of Engineering Strategies for the Planning of National Budget”, noting its alignment with the administration’s philosophy. He commended President Tinubu’s adherence to empirical evidence and fiscal discipline. “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is himself a man of numbers. An accountant extraordinaire, a thinker grounded in the discipline of evidence, and a leader governed by the clarity of facts,” he said.
He highlighted key policy decisions such as the removal of the fuel subsidy and confronting the country’s unfavourable debt-to-revenue ratio. Shettima explained that while these choices are far from convenient, they are essential for laying a stable foundation for national development. “These are not decisions of convenience. They are decisions of courage. They are born of a commitment to engineer a nation that works for its people,” he affirmed.
Senator Iyiola Omisore, who delivered the keynote lecture, discussed various areas of the economy with significant potential for development, including energy, power generation, oil and gas, transportation, infrastructure, healthcare, and security. He urged collaborative efforts between the government and institutions such as the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers to address challenges and unlock these opportunities.
Chairing the occasion, Chief Bisi Akande underscored the importance of engineering in national growth. He encouraged the profession to uphold its integrity and adapt to emerging digital technologies to maintain its relevance in a rapidly changing landscape.
Also speaking at the event, Engineer Margaret Oguntala, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, represented by former NSE president Engr. Kashim Abdul Ali, reiterated the importance of strategic engineering thinking in navigating an era of complex socio-economic challenges. He stressed the need for careful re-evaluation of national priorities and efficient use of resources to achieve sustainable development.