President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the ongoing restructuring of the country’s security architecture will strengthen efforts to defeat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The President gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja.
The delegation, which included 19 members of the conference, met with the President to discuss issues affecting the country, including security, education, democracy and poverty.
Speaking during the meeting, President Tinubu said the Federal Government was repositioning security institutions through improved intelligence gathering, organisational restructuring, enhanced logistics and better welfare for frontline security personnel.
He called on religious leaders to support government efforts to combat insecurity by promoting peace and condemning violent attacks.
“We don’t have another country but here – Nigeria. We are expanding the armed forces, acquiring more equipment and building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should also be part of your sermons,” the President said.
On the economy, Tinubu maintained that his administration had stabilised the country’s finances and placed Nigeria on a path to recovery.
He said the economy had been rescued from the threat of bankruptcy and expressed optimism that the government’s reforms were beginning to improve the lives of citizens.
“I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor, but this government has stabilised the economy, and prosperity is on the horizon. Life is improving,” he said.
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to poverty reduction through interventions such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while encouraging young Nigerians to embrace education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
He noted that industrial harmony in the university system had improved, pointing out that the absence of prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had contributed to greater stability in tertiary education.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Tinubu said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had remained impartial, insisting that all political parties would have equal opportunities to participate in the electoral process.
“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral and has not intimidated anyone,” he said.
The President also reiterated that state governors have the constitutional authority to decide on the return of mission schools. He recalled that his administration, as Governor of Lagos State, returned mission schools to their original owners.
He added that the Federal Government had approved the establishment of more universities to meet the growing demand for higher education, while noting that enrolment data from the National Universities Commission (NUC) would support the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Earlier, Archbishop Ndagoso commended President Tinubu for the reception accorded to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the recent commemoration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
The CBCN President raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, the need to strengthen democratic institutions and the conduct of credible elections.
He also urged the Federal Government to support the return of mission schools where appropriate and ensure equal treatment for all religious groups, including access to places of worship across the country.
Calling for free, fair and credible elections in 2027, Archbishop Ndagoso said President Tinubu’s enduring legacy should be the strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“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,” he said.
