By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is positively reshaping Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, particularly through a renewed focus on the evaluation and reform of public policies for improved outcomes.

Oyetola made this assertion on Monday at the First International Conference on Public Policy, Governance, and Development Agenda, organised by the Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

Speaking on the conference theme, “Building a Promising Future in Africa Through Policy Re-evaluation,” the former Osun State Governor emphasised the urgent need for an intellectual revolution that compels key actors within governance structures to critically assess societal trajectories and take decisive actions that support ongoing national transformation.

Represented by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Asiwaju Munirudeen Oyebamiji, the Minister described President Tinubu as “an unapologetic reformist,” whose achievements over the past two years warrant collective national support.

According to him, “It is time for Nigerians to rally behind the federal government’s bold initiatives and strengthen policies and programmes that have direct benefits for the masses. Reforming entrenched systems requires not just governmental willpower, but also the patience and intellectual honesty of citizens to endure transitional hardships for long-term gain.”

He called for a strengthened “town-and-gown” relationship between academia and governance that eliminates mutual suspicion and fosters mutual respect.

“If we are truly committed to seeing Africa, particularly Nigeria, among leading economies with structured societies, the theme of this conference is timely and deserves the attention of all development-focused stakeholders across the continent,” he said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s youthful and energetic population, Oyetola stressed the importance of conducting policy evaluations and stock-taking exercises at all levels to align national development with global economic competitiveness.

He commended the leadership and students of OAU’s Department of Public Administration for organising a conference capable of generating data-driven insights that can significantly enhance public policy implementation in both public and private sector