Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the Federal Government to pay greater attention to Nigerians' concerns about ongoing economic reforms. He emphasized that public confidence must be built through transparent communication, credible evidence of progress, and responsiveness to citizens' experiences. Shettima made the call at The Duke's Masterclass 2026, held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Shettima defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, including petrol subsidy removal, foreign exchange market liberalization, fiscal restructuring, and revenue mobilization. He described these measures as necessary to correct longstanding economic distortions and strengthen Nigeria's productive capacity. The Vice President explained that the policies aim to attract investment, improve business confidence, and establish conditions for sustainable economic growth.
However, Shettima stressed that announcing policies is insufficient without building public understanding and confidence in their implementation. He challenged Nigeria's elite, professionals, and middle class to acknowledge the difficulties facing ordinary citizens while explaining the objectives of the reforms. The Vice President urged professionals to help create a more informed and constructive national conversation.
Shettima also emphasized the importance of constructive criticism and informed public participation in effective governance and the sustainability of economic policies. He warned that technological advances, such as artificial intelligence and social media, are increasing the speed and sophistication of misinformation, posing risks to public confidence and institutional reputations.
The Vice President urged public institutions to strengthen information verification, correct false claims transparently, and communicate through trusted channels. He called for improved digital literacy and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Shettima identified sectors capable of supporting investment and employment, including banking, financial technology, oil and gas, agriculture, and the creative industry.
However, Shettima acknowledged the need to address challenges such as unreliable electricity, inefficient transportation, insecurity, limited access to finance, and weaknesses in education and public institutions. He called for stronger domestic production, export expansion, and support for small businesses, while emphasizing the need to extend economic opportunities to women, young people, and rural communities.
Other speakers at the masterclass, including Bimbo Ashiru, Emeka Anyaoku, and Kola Adesina, stressed the importance of leadership, accountability, and transparency in governance. They criticized Nigeria's persistent electricity challenges and condemned corruption, inflated public contracts, and failures of accountability. The masterclass was designed to equip organizations and individuals with practical strategies for anticipating crises, managing their consequences, and protecting institutional reputations.
Key points
- Vice President Kashim Shettima urges FG to address Nigerians' concerns on economic reforms.
- Shettima warns against misuse of AI and social media.
- The masterclass aims to equip organizations with crisis management strategies.
