The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Federal Government have begun high-level discussions in Abuja on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, medium-term outlook, and preparations for the 2026–2030 National Development Plan (NDP).
The talks are part of an IMF consultative mission reviewing the country’s fiscal priorities, macroeconomic direction, and reform trajectory ahead of its next country report.
The IMF delegation, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, Assistant Director of the Fund’s African Department, engaged Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, on Nigeria’s reform progress and strategic planning.
Schimmelpfennig expressed the Fund’s interest in understanding how the government’s medium-term strategy aligns with long-term development goals, stressing the importance of clarity at this stage of planning.
Responding, Bagudu affirmed the government’s commitment to aligning fiscal reforms with national planning frameworks to ensure coherence, efficiency and inclusive growth.
He acknowledged the IMF’s technical support over the past two and a half years and highlighted reform gains achieved under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, anchored on discipline, transparency and inclusion.
In a related development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved three landmark policies aimed at transforming the Federal Civil Service: the Rewards and Recognition Policy, Incentive and Consequence Management Policy, and Civil Service Mentoring Policy.
These policies are intended to boost productivity, strengthen accountability and enhance service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies.
Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, described the policies as pivotal to improving staff welfare and enhancing value proposition, in line with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025.
She noted that the approvals reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to building an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centric (EPIC) workforce.
A statement from the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs Eno Olotu, explained that the new framework will reward excellence, encourage innovation and facilitate leadership development.
Under the Incentive and Consequence Management Policy, high performance will be recognized, while underperformance will be addressed transparently.
The mentoring policy aims to bridge experience gaps and ensure systematic transfer of institutional knowledge within the service.