President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration’s ongoing security reforms will defeat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, while insisting that the country’s economy has recovered and prosperity is on the horizon.
The President gave the assurance on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, led by its President, Matthew Ndagoso.
Tinubu said his administration was repositioning Nigeria’s security architecture through enhanced intelligence gathering, restructuring of security institutions, improved logistics and better welfare for frontline personnel.
“We have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment and building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism,” the President said.
He urged the bishops and other religious leaders to support government efforts by condemning violent attacks and encouraging national unity.
“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria. It should be part of your sermons. In our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all humanity,” he said.
On the economy, Tinubu said his administration had stabilised the country after inheriting severe economic challenges.
“I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and the dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed,” he said.
“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving.”
The President said the Federal Government would continue programmes aimed at reducing poverty, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while encouraging Nigerians to embrace education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
“We have no control over the population growth and trajectory. That is why you have membership in your various faiths and churches to give hope to people. Our founding fathers left us a nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to sustain it,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted improvements in the education sector, noting that universities had maintained stable academic calendars.
“You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes. For me, that’s answered prayer,” he said.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, the President maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission remains impartial.
“INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and the uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me,” he said.
Tinubu also said state governors have the constitutional authority to decide on the return of mission schools, recalling that he returned mission schools while serving as governor of Lagos State.
“I returned all mission schools when I was the governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that,” he said.
Earlier, Ndagoso commended the President for the reception accorded to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
The CBCN president, however, raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, limited access to quality tertiary education and the need to sustain democratic gains. He also called for the return of mission schools, equal treatment of worshippers across the country and free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule during the military era, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” Ndagoso said.