By Oladosu Adebola Oluwaseun
In the heart of Adamawa State, amidst the vibrant energy of its capital, Yola, a pivotal gathering unfolded, signaling a renewed and intensified commitment to Nigeria’s economic trajectory. The Federal Ministry of Finance, under the astute leadership of the Honourable Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, convened its Top Management Staff for the 2025 Ministerial Performance Management Retreat. Themed “Strengthening Performance Management for Fiscal Stability,” this two-day strategic huddle served as a clarion call, urging the ministry’s key personnel to harness their collective expertise and drive the nation towards accelerated economic growth and enduring fiscal stability, ultimately benefiting all Nigerians.
The atmosphere in the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Yola was charged with a sense of purpose as Minister Edun officially declared the retreat open. His address resonated with a demand for tangible impact and a steadfast commitment to the sustained economic reforms championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He underscored the critical role of the Ministry’s Directors, positioning them as the very “engine room of policy execution.” With unwavering conviction, he asserted that the overall performance of the Ministry would largely mirror their effectiveness, thereby placing a significant weight of expectation and responsibility upon their shoulders.
Minister Edun eloquently articulated the high expectations of both the government and the Nigerian populace, emphasizing the urgent need for tangible results. He reiterated President Tinubu’s unwavering dedication to uplifting millions of Nigerians from the shackles of poverty through a paradigm of inclusive growth. While acknowledging the recent stabilization of the nation’s economy, the Minister made it unequivocally clear that the ultimate target was to achieve an ambitious annual GDP growth rate of 7%. This bold objective underscores the administration’s determination to not just steady the ship but to propel it forward with significant momentum.The choice of Yola as the venue for this crucial retreat was not lost on the attendees. Minister Edun extended sincere commendation to the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for graciously hosting the event. He also acknowledged the commendable progress being made under Governor Fintiri’s leadership, highlighting the importance of synergy between federal and state-level initiatives in achieving national economic goals.
Governor Fintiri, represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, reciprocated the warm sentiments and extended a hearty welcome to all participants. In his goodwill message, the Governor lauded Minister Edun, the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Permanent Secretaries, and the entire Top Management Staff for their unwavering commitment to steering the nation’s economy towards prosperity. He affirmed Adamawa State’s dedication to national development objectives, stating that hosting the retreat was an honor that underscored the critical need to align local governance strategies with federal fiscal reforms. This acknowledgement of sub-national alignment highlights a crucial understanding that national economic success is a collective endeavor, requiring the concerted efforts of all tiers of government.Setting the stage for the intensive deliberations that would follow, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, delivered her welcome remarks. She eloquently articulated the urgency and significance of the retreat’s objectives, emphasizing that in an era characterized by “limited resources, rising public expectations, and the need for efficiency in governance,” robust performance management was not merely relevant but absolutely “critical to our fiscal stability and collective success.” Her words painted a clear picture of the challenges and the imperative for a focused and effective approach to managing the nation’s finances.Mrs. Jafiya passionately called for a unified and collective effort in embedding a strong culture of Performance Management System within the Ministry. She reiterated the Ministry’s core mandate: to manage Nigeria’s finances with openness, transparency, and efficiency, all geared towards the overarching goal of achieving the nation’s developmental aspirations. Her emphasis on transparency and efficiency resonates with the public demand for greater accountability in governance and the prudent utilization of national resources.
The retreat served as a vital platform, bringing together Directors from across the diverse departments and agencies within the Federal Ministry of Finance, as well as other pertinent stakeholders. The agenda was strategically designed to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of the progress made on key strategic objectives and to sharpen the implementation capacity of the Ministry’s leadership. By fostering dialogue and collaboration amongst these key players, the retreat aimed to break down silos and forge a more cohesive and effective approach to policy execution.The undercurrent of the entire retreat was a palpable sense of urgency and a shared understanding of the significant challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Nigerian economy. The call to action issued by Minister Edun was not just a routine address; it was a rallying cry, igniting a renewed sense of purpose and determination within the Ministry’s top echelon. As Nigeria embarks on a crucial phase of charting a new course towards sustained economic prosperity, the Federal Ministry of Finance, under its current leadership, is poised to play a pivotal and indispensable role in shaping the nation’s economic future. The strategic retreat in Yola served as a powerful catalyst, equipping its leadership with the renewed focus and collaborative spirit necessary to drive growth, ensure fiscal stability, and ultimately deliver prosperity to all Nigerians. The commitment displayed in Yola signals a determined step forward in the pursuit of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with the Federal Ministry of Finance firmly at the helm of this critical economic endeavor.
