* Says ongoing reforms will end terrorism
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) that ongoing reforms in the country’s security architecture will lead to the defeat of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, while expressing optimism that the economy has stabilised and prosperity is within reach.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the CBCN at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu said his administration was strengthening intelligence gathering, restructuring security institutions, improving logistics and expanding the armed forces to address the country’s security challenges.
“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism,” the President said, urging religious leaders to support government efforts by condemning violence and promoting peace.
The CBCN delegation, led by its President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, included 19 senior Catholic clerics.
On the economy, Tinubu maintained that his administration had rescued Nigeria from financial instability, saying the country had been placed on a stronger 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. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he said.
The President also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as part of efforts to improve access to higher education and reduce poverty. He encouraged Nigerians to embrace education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Tinubu pointed to the relative stability in the university system, noting that prolonged industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had been avoided.
“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,” he said.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, the President defended the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that the electoral body had remained neutral.
“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone,” he said.
Tinubu also reiterated that state governors have the constitutional authority to determine whether mission schools should be returned to their original owners, noting that he restored mission schools during his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
Earlier, Archbishop Ndagoso commended the President for receiving 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.
However, the CBCN President raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, access to quality tertiary education, the need to sustain democratic gains and the conduct of credible elections.
He urged the Federal Government to consider the return of mission schools and ensure equal treatment of all religious groups, including the provision of places of worship without discrimination.
“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule during the military era, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” Ndagoso said, while calling for free and fair elections in 2027.
The meeting was attended by prominent Catholic leaders, including Cardinals John Onaiyekan and Peter Okpaleke, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos and other members of the CBCN leadership.
