President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s economy has recovered from the brink of bankruptcy, vows to defeat terrorism, expand the armed forces and guarantee credible 2027 elections
Tinubu Declares Economy Recovered, Promises to Crush Terrorism Ahead of 2027
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration has stabilised the economy and is overhauling the country’s security architecture to decisively tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, declaring that prosperity is now within reach.
The President gave the assurance 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.
Tinubu said his administration inherited an economy on the brink of collapse but had implemented reforms that restored stability and laid the foundation for sustained growth.
“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 dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed,” the President said.
He added: “The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.
“This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving.”
On security, Tinubu said the Federal Government was intensifying intelligence gathering, restructuring security institutions, improving military logistics and expanding the armed forces to confront criminal groups across the country.
“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,” he said, urging religious leaders to continue preaching peace and speaking against violent extremism.
The President stressed that national unity remained non-negotiable, declaring: “We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria.”
Highlighting developments in the education sector, Tinubu said public universities had remained open, pointing to the absence of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“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. Is that not an answer to our prayers? For me, that’s answered prayer,” he said.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the President expressed confidence in the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that all political parties would have a level playing field.
“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 and uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me,” Tinubu stated.
Earlier, CBCN President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, congratulated Tinubu on Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with the Vatican but expressed concern over persistent insecurity, widespread poverty, access to quality tertiary education and the need to strengthen democratic institutions.
Ndagoso also urged the Federal Government to guarantee credible elections in 2027, facilitate the return of mission schools and ensure equal treatment for all religious groups.
“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” Ndagoso said.
