President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed that his administration will defeat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, declaring that a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture is already yielding results.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said his government had intensified intelligence gathering, restructured security institutions, strengthened logistics and prioritised the welfare of frontline troops to tackle insecurity.
“We will defeat terrorism,” the President declared, revealing that he had approved the expansion of the Armed Forces, with plans to procure more military equipment and construct new barracks.
“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons,” Tinubu said as he urged religious leaders to condemn violence and support efforts to restore peace actively.
“We don’t have another country but this Nigeria. Despite our diversity and complexity, we must remain united and work together for the good of all.”
The meeting was attended by Archbishop Ndagoso of Kaduna and 19 other senior Catholic bishops.
Economy ‘Rescued From Bankruptcy’
On the economy, President Tinubu insisted that Nigeria had been pulled back from the brink of financial collapse, saying his administration had stabilised the economy and laid the foundation for sustained prosperity.
“I can tell you categorically that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered,” he said.
“The alarm of bankruptcy and the dark tunnel of uncertainty we inherited have been replaced with hope. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.“
Tinubu acknowledged inheriting significant economic challenges from his predecessor but maintained that difficult reforms had begun producing positive results.
“I inherited both the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. This government has stabilised the economy, and prosperity is on the horizon. Life is improving.”
NELFUND, Education Key to Fighting Poverty
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing poverty through education and human capital development, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a critical intervention.
He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition to improve their economic prospects.
“I believe in education as the surest path out of poverty,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted what he described as growing stability in the education sector, citing the absence of prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“You can’t say a four-year university programme is no longer four years. ASUU is not on strike. That alone is an answered prayer.“
He added that his administration had approved more universities to expand access to higher education, while data from the National Universities Commission (NUC) would help improve NELFUND planning and budgeting.
Tinubu Defends INEC’s Neutrality Ahead of 2027
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Tinubu defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the electoral body remained impartial.
“INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, perhaps they are afraid of their own shadows and the company they keep—not me,” he said.
On the long-standing campaign for the return of mission schools, the President said state governors possess the constitutional authority to make such decisions.
Recalling his tenure as Lagos State governor, Tinubu said he restored mission schools in the state.
“I returned all mission schools when I was governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie is alive to testify to that.”
Catholic Bishops Raise Concerns
Earlier, CBCN President Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso commended Tinubu for receiving the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the recent celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
However, the bishops expressed concerns over persistent insecurity, rising poverty, limited access to quality tertiary education and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
The conference also called for the return of mission schools, equal treatment for all religious groups in the provision of worship facilities and the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule during military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” Archbishop Ndagoso told the President.
