The presidency has dismissed concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), over the state of the economy and security, asserting that the country has recorded significant progress under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
At its first plenary meeting of 2025 in Abuja over the weekend, the CBCN, through its President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, expressed concerns about youth unemployment, insecurity, poverty, corruption, and electoral fraud, warning that urgent action was needed to prevent the country from drifting.
In a response, in a statement issued on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, refuted the bishops’ assessment, describing it as an outdated and inaccurate portrayal of Nigeria’s current realities.
“While some governance challenges remain, it is important to state categorically that our country has made tremendous progress in all areas since President Tinubu assumed office about 22 months ago,” Onanuga said.
He mentioned the administration’s achievements in security, stating that Nigeria is more secure today than it was in 2023 due to President Tinubu’s leadership and the efforts.
According to him, over 8,000 criminals, including bandits, armed robbers, Boko Haram terrorists, and kidnappers, have been neutralized, while more than 10,000 abducted Nigerians—mostly women and children—have been rescued.
The improved security, he added, has allowed farmers to return to their fields, particularly in the North-West and North-East, leading to increased food production and a decline in the prices of essential commodities.
Farmers in states such as Kaduna, Kebbi, and Jigawa, as well as those cultivating cash crops nationwide, are reportedly experiencing better conditions and higher productivity.
Addressing economic concerns, Mr. Onanuga stated that President Tinubu’s administration inherited a precarious situation but has since stabilized the economy.
He pointed to improvements in the balance of trade, a stronger foreign reserve position, moderated inflation, and the strengthening of the naira against major currencies.
“The local refining capacity has tremendously increased, with the Dangote Refinery and the NNPC refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri now operational,” he added.
The statement further emphasized the administration’s focus on youth employment, highlighting initiatives such as 3MTT, NATEP, LEEP, IDiCE, NiYA, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, which collectively aim to create over 10 million jobs.
Onanuga also noted that the government has significantly increased revenue collection to fund critical development projects, with an unprecedented N54.9 trillion budget for 2025 focused on infrastructure, power, healthcare, education, and security.
He referenced international endorsements of Tinubu’s economic policies, citing a recent article by Chatham House, a UK-based policy think tank, which praised the administration’s economic management.
The article reportedly described Nigeria’s economy as the most competitive it has been in 25 years due to Tinubu’s reforms.
While acknowledging the hardships some Nigerians still face, the presidency expressed confidence in the government’s ongoing reforms and reaffirmed its commitment to building a more prosperous nation.
“President Tinubu and his team will continue to work very hard on behalf of our compatriots to deliver the promise of a greater and stronger Nigeria. The Tinubu administration is optimistic about the future and the ongoing positive changes,” Onanuga said.
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