The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Tony Okocha Ibas, on Thursday made his first appearance at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking his official debut in national-level economic deliberations since assuming office.
Ibas, who was recently appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the political impasse in the state, joined Vice President Kashim Shettima and other key stakeholders from the 36 states of the federation to deliberate on pressing national economic matters.
The NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Shettima, brought together state governors, ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and other heads of critical federal agencies.
Ibas’ participation signals Rivers State’s renewed representation at the highest forum for economic policy coordination between the federal and state governments. His presence comes at a time when the state is navigating a complex political terrain and requires strong fiscal oversight and economic planning to sustain stability and development.
During the meeting, Ibas joined discussions on key national issues, including food security, inflation management, fiscal sustainability of states, federal allocations, and the rollout of economic relief programmes. He also attended briefings from the Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, and the Economy, as well as presentations from the CBN and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Although Ibas did not address the press directly after the meeting, insiders suggest that his presence was acknowledged as significant by the Vice President, who welcomed him to the council and urged all members to continue collaborating across party and regional lines to ensure national economic progress.
Rivers State, known for its rich oil reserves and strategic position in the Niger Delta, plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economic landscape. Observers note that the state’s representation in NEC is critical, particularly in ongoing conversations around revenue generation, resource control, and the equitable distribution of federal allocations.
This development comes as Rivers grapples with governance restructuring following months of political tensions and legal battles. With the appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator, the federal government aims to stabilize governance in the state, pending resolution of broader political issues.
The National Economic Council is constitutionally empowered to advise the President on economic affairs, and it serves as a platform for aligning state and federal economic agendas. The Council’s decisions, while advisory, influence the flow of resources and policy direction nationwide.
Ibas’ attendance is seen as a step toward re-integrating Rivers State into the national economic framework and ensuring that its interests are reflected in federal-level decision-making, especially in areas such as infrastructural development, environmental management, and fiscal planning.
The next NEC meeting is expected to reconvene in May, with follow-up discussions on reforms in the power sector, food distribution strategies, and deepening of economic resilience in the states.
