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President Tinubu says his administration has rescued Nigeria from the brink of bankruptcy, insisting that tough economic reforms have stabilised the economy and placed the country on the path to prosperity.
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The President said he expanded and strengthened military operations and new equipment will deliver victory over terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
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Catholic Bishops challenge Tinubu to guarantee free, fair and credible 2027 elections, saying his greatest legacy should be the strengthening of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
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CBCN raises concerns over insecurity, poverty and access to quality education, while calling for the return of mission schools and equal treatment of all religious groups.
July 29, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, strongly defended his administration’s handling of Nigeria’s economy and security, declaring that the country has been rescued from the brink of bankruptcy while assuring Nigerians that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping will ultimately be defeated.
The President also dismissed concerns over the integrity of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains neutral and that political opponents alleging bias may simply be “afraid of their own shadows.”
Tinubu made the remarks while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The delegation comprised 19 senior Catholic clerics, including the CBCN Vice President and Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Martins; the CBCN Secretary and Bishop of Abeokuta, Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo; the CBCN Assistant Secretary and Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe; Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan; Bishop of Ekwulobia, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke; Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama; Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin; Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke; Bishop of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo; Bishop of Katsina, Most Rev. Gerald Musa; and Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah.
Other members of the delegation included the Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga; the Bishop of Nsukka, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah; the Bishop of Aba, Most Rev. Augustine Echema; the Auxiliary Bishop of Calabar, Most Rev. Christopher Naseri; the CBCN Secretary-General, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo; the Director of the Church and Society Department, Rev. Fr. Peter Audu; Rev. Fr. Michael Imhadowinyi; and Dickson Adeyanju.
The meeting centred on national security, economic recovery, poverty, education, democratic governance and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
THEWILL reports that the meeting comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange-rate liberalisation and broader fiscal restructuring, which have significantly increased the cost of living even as the Federal Government insists the policies are laying the foundation for long-term economic recovery. It also comes against the backdrop of sustained military operations across the North-East, North-West and North-Central geopolitical zones, where security forces continue to battle Boko Haram insurgents, ISWAP fighters, armed bandits and kidnapping syndicates.
Responding to growing criticism over the country’s economic challenges, Tinubu insisted that the difficult reforms introduced since he assumed office prevented Nigeria from sliding into financial collapse.
According to him, his administration inherited severe fiscal liabilities but has since stabilised the economy through bold policy decisions.
“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 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.
“I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I have been running with it. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving”, the President stated.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain optimistic, arguing that the reforms being implemented would ultimately translate into improved living standards and greater economic opportunities.
He pointed to interventions such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as evidence of the administration’s commitment to reducing poverty through expanded access to higher education.
The President encouraged young Nigerians to embrace education, entrepreneurship and vocational skills, describing them as critical pathways out of poverty.
“We have no control over population growth and trajectory. That is why religious institutions must continue to give hope to people and inspire commitment to humanity”, he added.
On security, Tinubu assured the bishops that the Federal Government was repositioning the country’s security architecture to confront terrorism, armed banditry and kidnapping more effectively.
He said ongoing reforms include enhanced intelligence gathering, restructuring of security institutions, improved logistics and better welfare packages for military and security personnel.
The President disclosed that he had approved the expansion of the Armed Forces, alongside the procurement of additional military hardware and the construction of new barracks across the country.
“We don’t have another country but Nigeria. In our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all humanity. I have just approved the expansion of the Armed Forces. We are getting more equipment and building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons”, Tinubu declared.
He urged religious leaders to continue preaching peace, tolerance and patriotism while condemning violent extremism in their communities.
According to him, safeguarding Nigeria’s unity, stability and prosperity remains a collective responsibility shared by government, religious leaders and citizens alike.
Highlighting developments in the education sector, Tinubu noted that public universities have experienced greater stability under his administration, pointing to the absence of prolonged strikes 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.
The President also reiterated his support for expanding access to higher education, revealing that more universities had been approved to meet rising admission demands and that data from the National Universities Commission (NUC) would guide future NELFUND budgeting.
Responding to the bishops’ request for the return of mission schools, Tinubu said state governors possess the constitutional authority to take such decisions.
He recalled returning mission schools to their owners during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, saying the policy demonstrated his longstanding support for faith-based education.
On the 2027 elections, Tinubu maintained that INEC remains impartial and dismissed allegations of possible electoral manipulation.
“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 the uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me”, he noted.
Catholic Bishops Challenge Tinubu
Earlier, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso commended Tinubu for the reception accorded to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
He, however, expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, widespread poverty, unemployment, rising cost of living, limited access to quality tertiary education and the need to consolidate democratic governance.
The CBCN President urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property while addressing the socio-economic conditions fuelling insecurity.
He also appealed to the President to ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair and credible, arguing that strengthening democratic institutions would constitute Tinubu’s most enduring legacy.
“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule during the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions”, Ndagoso said.
The bishops further urged the President to facilitate the return of mission schools where possible and guarantee equal treatment of all religious groups, including equitable access to places of worship across the country.
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