March 10, (THEWILL) – The Presidency has pushed back against the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria’s (CBCN) recent critique of the country’s economic and security situation, asserting that Nigeria is making significant progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Catholic Bishops, during their 2025 First Plenary Meeting at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) in Abuja on Sunday, raised concerns over widespread hardship and worsening insecurity.
However, in a statement on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed their assessment as outdated and misrepresentative of the country’s reality.
“The Catholic Bishops’ Conference, at its first plenary meeting of 2025, painted an alarming picture of the economy and polity that sounded more like snippets from an outdated book,” the statement read.
CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, had listed youth unemployment, insecurity, poverty, corruption, and electoral fraud as major national challenges, calling for urgent action to prevent further decline.
While acknowledging the Bishops’ longstanding commitment to national unity and stability, the Presidency maintained that Nigeria has witnessed substantial improvements across key sectors since Tinubu assumed office.
Onanuga highlighted the administration’s efforts in combating insecurity, noting that the country is in a far better position than it was in 2023.
It stated, “In the last two years, over 8,000 criminals—including bandits, armed robbers, Boko Haram terrorists, and kidnappers—have been neutralized, while more than 10,000 Nigerians, primarily women and children, have been rescued from captivity.
“Improved security in the North-West and North-East has enabled farmers to return to their fields, leading to increased food production and a subsequent reduction in prices of essential commodities. Farmers in Kaduna, Kebbi, and Jigawa are testaments to this progress.”
On the economic front, the statement noted that the Tinubu administration had stabilisedthe economy despite inheriting a precarious situation.
It added, “Our balance of trade has improved, foreign reserves are stronger, inflation is moderating, and the naira is gaining strength against major currencies. Local refining capacity has also increased significantly with the operationalization of the Dangote Refinery and the ongoing rehabilitation of NNPCL refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri.”
The government also pointed to its various youth-focused initiatives, including 3MTT, NATEP, LEEP, IDiCE, NiYA, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, designed to create over 10 million new jobs.
The Presidency further stated that international institutions have acknowledged the administration’s economic reforms.
It stated, “Last week, Chatham House, a leading UK-based policy think tank, recognized Nigeria’s economic competitiveness under President Tinubu, stating that the country is experiencing its most significant economic shift in 25 years due to his policy direction.”
While acknowledging that Nigerians are still facing challenges, the Presidency expressed confidence that the government’s policies would ultimately lead to a more prosperous nation.
“President Tinubu and his team remain committed to delivering on their promises. The administration is optimistic about the future and the ongoing positive transformations,” the statement concluded.
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