President assures Catholic bishops of improved security, economic recovery and neutrality of INEC ahead of polls.
President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration’s ongoing reforms have rescued Nigeria’s economy from bankruptcy and placed the country on the path to prosperity.
President Tinubu 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 State House, Abuja.
The President said his administration inherited significant economic challenges but has successfully stabilised the economy and repositioned it for growth.
“The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and the dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed. The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy,” Tinubu said.
He assured the bishops that the government would sustain interventions aimed at improving citizens’ welfare, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while continuing efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
According to him, security challenges are being addressed through enhanced intelligence gathering, restructuring of security institutions, improved logistics and increased welfare for frontline personnel.
The President disclosed that he recently approved the expansion of the Armed Forces, including the acquisition of additional equipment and the construction of new barracks to strengthen the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
“We will defeat terrorism,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to national unity and development.
On education, President Tinubu noted that industrial harmony has returned to public universities, pointing out that students can now complete their programmes without disruptions caused by prolonged strikes.
“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. For me, that’s answered prayer,” he stated.
The President also assured political stakeholders that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would remain neutral ahead of the 2027 general elections, promising equal opportunities for all political parties.
“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 said.
He reaffirmed his support for education as a tool for poverty reduction, adding that more universities have been approved to meet the growing demand for tertiary education in the country.
Earlier, CBCN President, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, commended the President for Nigeria’s cordial relationship with the Vatican but raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, credible elections and the sustenance of democratic values.
He urged the Federal Government to ensure free and fair elections in 2027, consider the return of mission schools and guarantee equal treatment for all worshippers across the country.
Ndagoso noted that President Tinubu’s enduring legacy would be the strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the preservation of national unity.