By Emem Nsini-Godwin
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will defeat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping through ongoing reforms of the country’s security architecture.
Speaking while receiving a delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said security agencies were being strengthened through improved intelligence, better logistics, enhanced welfare for personnel and the expansion of the armed forces.
He disclosed that his administration had approved the acquisition of more military equipment and the construction of new barracks to improve operations against terrorists and other criminal groups.
“We don’t have another country but Nigeria. We are expanding the armed forces, getting more equipment and building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism,” the President said, urging religious leaders to support government efforts by promoting peace and national unity.
Tinubu also expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economy had recovered from the financial challenges inherited by his administration, saying difficult economic reforms had stabilised the country.
“The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy. We have stabilised the system, and prosperity is on the horizon,” he said.
On education, the President reaffirmed his commitment to expanding access to tertiary education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the establishment of new universities based on recommendations from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He also pointed to the absence of strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as evidence of improved stability in the education sector.
Earlier, Archbishop Ndagoso commended the President for strengthening relations with the Vatican but raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, inadequate access to tertiary education and the need to protect Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged the Federal Government to consider restoring mission schools to their original owners and called for free, fair and credible elections.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Nigeria’s unity and pledged to continue implementing policies aimed at improving security, strengthening the economy and delivering a more prosperous future for Nigerians.
