President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration is making steady progress in tackling insecurity across the country, declaring that Nigeria has shifted from reactive security measures to a coordinated, intelligence-driven strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks.
Speaking at the maiden State House Media Dinner (SHMD) held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President said the renewed offensive against criminal elements has recorded significant successes, including the neutralising of thousands of terrorists and criminals, the rescue of numerous hostages, and the recovery of communities previously under threat.
While acknowledging that security challenges persist, President Tinubu said his administration’s coordinated security strategy has produced significant gains, including the neutralising of thousands of terrorists, the rescue of hostages, and the reclamation of communities once under the control of criminal elements
“Thousands of criminal elements and terrorists have been neutralised. Numerous hostages have been rescued. Communities previously under threat have been reclaimed.
“While Nigeria continues to face security challenges, we have moved steadily from reacting to threats toward systematically degrading them. We remain resolute in our commitment to securing every part of our country and ensuring that every Nigerian can live, work and prosper in peace.
“Thousands of criminal elements and terrorists have been neutralised. Numerous hostages have been rescued. Communities previously under threat have been reclaimed,” the President assured citizens.
The Nigerian Leader commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their professionalism and courage in confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of organised crime.
On the economy, President Tinubu said Nigeria is now recording more stability and reaping the benefits of the bold reforms introduced by his administration, highlighting that the reforms are now yielding results.
Describing the current period as one of the most ambitious phases of economic transformation in the nation’s history,the President noted that foreign reserves have strengthened, the oil and gas sector is attracting renewed investments, while the capital market continues to record remarkable growth.
“Public revenues have strengthened significantly. State governments are receiving substantially higher allocations to support development. Investor confidence is returning.” He stated
Acknowledging that challenges remain, the President maintained that the direction of the economy is clear and that the foundations for long-term growth are firmly being laid.
President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting press freedom and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, assuring journalists of continued access, resources and the enabling environment required to perform their constitutional responsibilities.
He noted that Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without an independent media, but stressed that such freedom must always be exercised with responsibility, professionalism and adherence to ethical standards.
The Nigerian leader expressed concern over the increasing menace of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, deepfakes and voice and facial cloning, warning journalists against becoming channels for falsehood capable of undermining national security.
“We live in an era where misinformation and disinformation travel faster than facts. The media must choose fact over falsehood. The media must choose substance over sensation. The media must choose credibility over clickbait and the endless race for followers, likes and viral outrage.” The President cautioned.
President Tinubu maintained that freedom of expression does not amount to freedom to defame, just as press freedom should never be interpreted as a licence to deliberately mislead the public.
He noted that laws such as the Cybercrimes Act were enacted not to weaken press freedom but to protect citizens from malicious falsehood, cyberstalking, identity theft and other digital abuses while preserving the integrity of Nigeria’s information ecosystem.
The President described the relationship between government and the media as one built on healthy democratic necessity, saying both institutions remain indispensable partners in nation-building.
“Government must act. The media must watch. Government must explain. The media must question. That arrangement guarantees a certain level of tension not because we dislike one another, but because democracy demands it.” He emphasised.
Reflecting on his decades in public life, President Tinubu said he had become one of Nigeria’s most scrutinised politicians and observed that rumours and speculation often gained acceptance before facts emerged, particularly during election campaigns.
He urged journalists to continue providing context, balanced analysis and factual reporting to help citizens make informed decisions, stressing that democracy depends not only on a free press but also on a responsible one.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act, describing them as critical pillars of transparency, accountability and democratic governance.
He called for stronger collaboration between government and the media anchored on mutual respect, professionalism and a shared commitment to national development.
“Let us replace needless hostility with constructive engagement. Let us replace sensationalism with professionalism. Let us replace the pursuit of outrage with the pursuit of truth. Together, let us continue building a nation where truth matters, accountability thrives, democracy flourishes, and every Nigerian has reason to believe in the promise of our country.” The Nigerian President urged.
President Tinubu thanked members of the State House Press Corps for their dedication and invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Earlier, the event featured remarks by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who highlighted the administration’s achievements over the past three years.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Dr. Emmanuel Anule, urged the President to sustain the cordial relationship between the administration and the media, particularly the State House Press Corps.
The maiden edition of the State House Media Dinner was attended by the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, representatives of other governors, senior government officials, media executives and members of the diplomatic community.
The highlight of the evening was the decoration of President Tinubu as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps and the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians and members of the Press Corps, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Chairman of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu; Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspaper, Segun Adeniyi; Felix Onuah; Nicholas Okechukwu; Dr. Emmanuel Anule; and Alhaja Ladan Abubakar.
