By Paul James
The House of Representatives Committee on National Planning and Economic Development has unveiled plans to host a National Policy Dialogue aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s planning and budgeting frameworks.
Speaking at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, described the upcoming two-day event as a strategic intervention designed to bridge longstanding gaps in the country’s development processes and foster sustainable economic growth.
Scheduled to take place from April 14 to 15, 2026, the conference is expected to gather a significant assembly of federal and state legislators, top-tier policymakers, and heads of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The initiative seeks to create a collaborative environment for key stakeholders responsible for the design and implementation of policies critical to national stability.
Committee members emphasized that the dialogue is essential for synchronizing the efforts of different arms of government to ensure that economic objectives are met with precision and transparency.
During the briefing, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Clement Jombo, underscored the necessity of proactive preparation, noting that a failure to plan is effectively a plan to fail.
He highlighted that the forum will draw participation from leading professional bodies and experts in fields such as public finance, procurement, budgeting, and public administration.
These specialists are expected to offer practical recommendations on strengthening the national planning architecture and improving the overall efficiency of Nigeria’s budgeting system to ensure that public funds translate into tangible development.
A central theme of the proposed dialogue is its alignment with the President Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope National Development Plan” (RH-NDP) for 2026–2030.
Lawmakers stressed their commitment to providing the legislative support necessary to reach the government’s ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy.
They maintained that disciplined budget implementation and effective planning are the primary pillars required to achieve such a milestone, particularly as the nation seeks to diversify its revenue streams and enhance global competitiveness.
The committee further revealed that the dialogue will critically evaluate the harmonization of national development plans with annual budgets across all tiers of government.
By moving toward a more responsive and result-driven budgeting system, the panel aims to ensure that every fiscal cycle directly contributes to the overarching goals of the national development agenda. This legislative push is seen as a vital step in ensuring that Nigeria’s economic trajectory remains consistent and insulated from administrative inefficiencies.