Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently leading the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja. Notably, the meeting has drawn significant attention due to the presence of Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, and Bill Gates, global philanthropist and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This session of NEC is taking place on an unusual day—Wednesday—deviating from the traditional Thursday schedule. The timing of the meeting is particularly significant as it occurs amidst a recent surge in petrol prices, which has led to growing queues at fuel stations across the country.
The agenda of the meeting, which includes the participation of the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other key government officials, has not yet been disclosed.
This meeting also follows recent criticisms from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has accused the federal government of reneging on its promise not to increase petrol prices. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, expressed that organized labor agreed to a minimum wage of ₦70,000 in July, based on assurances from the government that there would be no further hikes in fuel costs.
