President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at a two-day retreat organised by the National Economic Council (NEC) which will begin from Monday, March 21.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, will chair the retreat, with governors from the 36 states of the federation attending.

The Central Bank Governor and the Budget & Planning Minister are also among other top government functionaries that would be present at that meeting.

A spokesman for the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said that the objective of the National Economic Council Retreat was to provide a forum for in-depth discussions by NEC members of the policy actions that the States and the Federal Government could consider in order to stimulate local production, cut costs and enhance public revenues among other measures to stimulate the economy.

Contrary to suggestions, the Retreat is not an emergency national economic conference.

The idea was mooted at the last regular NEC meeting in January, where members requested an intensive session to review economic trends and evolve strategies to cope.

Nigeria’s economy at this time needs stimulation, something the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed, said the budget, yet to be passed by the National Assembly, would do. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo.