Tinubu: We Have Stabilised Nigeria, Prosperity Is on the Horizon

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration has stabilised the country and laid the foundation for lasting prosperity, saying ongoing reforms in security and the economy are already yielding positive results.

The President made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Addressing the delegation, President Tinubu said his administration was restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture through enhanced intelligence gathering, institutional reforms, improved logistics and better welfare for security personnel to defeat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

“I 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, urging religious leaders to support the government’s efforts by preaching peace and condemning violence.

On the economy, Tinubu said Nigeria had overcome the financial challenges his administration inherited and was now on a path of recovery.

“I can tell you categorically 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 faced when I came into office have been cleared.

“This government has stabilised the country, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he stated.

The President highlighted interventions such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing education as a critical tool for lifting Nigerians out of poverty.

He also noted improvements in the education sector, pointing to the absence of prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which he said had helped restore stability to tertiary education.

“You can’t say a four-year university course is no longer four years. ASUU is not on strike. That is an answer to our prayers,” he added.

Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Tinubu maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains impartial and committed to conducting credible elections.

“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows,” the President said.

Tinubu also reiterated his support for the return of mission schools, recalling that he returned all mission schools while serving as Governor of Lagos State.

He further disclosed that more universities had been approved to meet the growing demand for higher education, adding that the National Universities Commission (NUC) would provide the necessary data for planning and budgeting under NELFUND.

Earlier, CBCN President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, commended the President for receiving the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations during the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.

The Archbishop, however, raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, the quality of tertiary education, the need for credible elections and the return of mission schools. He urged the President to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair and credible.