President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the alarm for bankruptcy and the dark tunnel of uncertainty experienced when he took over the reins of government has been changed positively.
This was as he dismissed allegations of political intimidation ahead of the 2027 General Elections, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is neutral and would provide a level playing field for all political parties.
The President also said that his administration had restored confidence in the economy, and pointedly declared that prosperity was now within reach.
Tinubu, who stated these on Tuesday when he received in audience, the national leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, also said his administration has stabilised Nigeria and rescued the nation’s economy from the brink of bankruptcy through ongoing economic reforms and strategic interventions.
He told the leadership of the Catholic Bishops led by Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso that the country was now on a sound economic footing despite inheriting difficult fiscal conditions.
In the words of Tinubu; “I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered.
“I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he said.
The President also declared that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping would be defeated through expanded military capacity, enhanced intelligence gathering, improved logistics and better welfare for security personnel.
Tinubu said that he had approved the expansion of the armed forces, including the acquisition of additional equipment and construction of new barracks to strengthen national security.
He highlighted achievements in the education sector, saying that industrial harmony had returned to public universities, with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) no longer embarking on prolonged strikes.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the approval of more universities to expand access to higher education.
Commenting on calls for the return of mission schools, President Tinubu said state governments have the constitutional authority to make such decisions, and recalled that he returned mission schools while serving as Governor of Lagos State.
Earlier in his address, the President of the CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso praised President Tinubu for strengthening Nigeria’s relationship with the Vatican.
Archbishop Ndagoso, however expressed serious concerns over insecurity, poverty, quality of tertiary education and the need for credible elections.
The CBCN President therefore urged the Federal Government to strengthen democratic institutions, ensure free and fair elections in 2027, consider the return of mission schools and guarantee equal treatment for all religious groups in the country.
The cleric stressed that Tinubu’s greatest legacy would be the consolidation of Nigeria’s democratic institutions after his role in the country’s pro-democracy struggle.
