President Bola Tinubu said on Sunday in Lagos that his administration will step up efforts to tackle insecurity across the country while ensuring that assistance for vulnerable Nigerians continues. The remarks came as the president hosted Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 state governors at his Lagos residence to mark Eid el Fitr.
President Tinubu said he had pursued support for modern security interventions during meetings in the United Kingdom, including a recent discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. He said the talks focused on equipment and cooperation and that he was reaching out to other nations to secure further assistance.
“Your presence here today and the number show your sincerity, commitment and value for friendship and togetherness,” the president said. “The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face, and that is the challenge of insecurity in the country. I am making every effort to ensure that we collectively share the joy of our victory over tyranny. Insecurity is an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity.”
President Tinubu and the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Friday from a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, where they met King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The president also held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He warned that the Middle East crisis could push up inflation and reduce purchasing power and urged governors to prepare to cushion the impact on citizens. He called on state leaders to remain steadfast in translating their ideas into policies and programmes that improve livelihoods and to support federal efforts to defeat criminal networks.
The president thanked Vice President Shettima for a condolence visit to Borno State and promised stronger protection for the people of the state through new technology.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and governor of Kwara State, congratulated the president on the successful United Kingdom visit and the investment agreements that followed. He urged collective action to end insecurity and said the governors are engaging with security agencies and the National Security Adviser on proposals for state policing. The governors’ forum will take the proposals to the National Assembly to pursue a legislative framework for state police.
Governors who attended the Eid el Fitr gathering included Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Alex Otti of Abia State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State.
Others present were Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State, Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State, Babajide Sanwo Olu of Lagos State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Caleb Mufwang of Plateau State, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Agbu Keffas of Taraba State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State. The deputy governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, also attended.
The meeting underscored the administration’s focus on combining international security cooperation with domestic measures to protect citizens and sustain development efforts. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued the statement on March 22, 2026.
