By Franklin Adole
President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s performance, declaring that although he inherited daunting economic and security challenges, he has remained steadfast in confronting them, insisting that Nigeria is now on the path to recovery.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu said he accepted the responsibility of leading the country fully aware of the enormity of the task and would not abandon it.
“I inherited the challenges. I didn’t run away. I asked for this job, and I’m in it,” the President declared.
Tinubu said his administration had successfully pulled Nigeria away from the brink of economic collapse and laid the foundation for sustained prosperity.
“I can tell you categorically, now with sincerity, that the country has been placed on sound footing. The economy has recovered.
“The alarm for bankruptcy, the dark tunnel of uncertainty that we entered into when I came in, has changed,” he said.
According to the President, the government has stabilised the economy despite inheriting serious fiscal and structural difficulties.
“This government has stabilised and has prosperity on the horizon. The quality of life is improving,” he added.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged that terrorism and criminality remained significant challenges but assured Nigerians that his administration was strengthening the armed forces to confront the threats more effectively.
He disclosed that he had approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army and authorised additional funding for military equipment, barracks, operational bases, and other logistics needed to intensify the fight against terrorists.
“We all must fight terrorism together. We have that responsibility to our nation and to our society,” he told the bishops.
Highlighting developments in the education sector, Tinubu pointed to the uninterrupted academic calendar in public universities as evidence that reforms were yielding results.
“None of your children in the university today can say a four-year course is no longer four years. They are not on strike. Is that not an answer to our prayers?” he asked.
The President also defended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a landmark initiative that has expanded access to higher education and eased the financial burden on students.
“NELFUND is doing wonders for our children. They are even earning stipends while they are in the universities,” he said.
Addressing political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections, Tinubu maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remained neutral 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 and uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me,” he said.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Nigeria’s unity, describing the country’s diversity as one of its greatest strengths.
“I won’t deviate from our national identity. Diversity is the backbone of our prosperity and the future stability of this country,” he said.
Earlier, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2027, and implement policies that would improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Later on Tuesday, Tinubu met with members of the National Communications Team, including the Presidential Media Team and heads of key federal information agencies, led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Idris said the President reiterated that his administration’s economic reforms were yielding measurable results and that security operations were becoming more effective through improved coordination among the armed forces and intelligence agencies.
“The President has told us several times the economy is turning the corner. We now know that the economy has turned the corner,” the minister said.
Idris added that the meeting reviewed public perception of government policies and discussed strategies for strengthening communication between government and citizens.
He said Tinubu also reaffirmed his commitment to press freedom, assuring journalists that his administration would continue to guarantee media freedom while encouraging responsible journalism.
“The media will continue to have freedom to do their work. But freedom also has to come with responsibility,” Idris quoted the President as saying.
According to the minister, Tinubu further called for closer collaboration between government and the media to combat fake news, misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
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