Nigeria’s presidency has issued a robust defence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following critical remarks from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) about the state of the nation.
In a press release, the government refuted what it described as an “alarming prognosis” from the bishops, asserting instead that “Nigeria is more secure today than it was in 2023” and that the administration has “stabilised the economy from the precarious situation it inherited.”
The statement came after Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru, president of the CBCN, highlighted persistent challenges including “youth unemployment, insecurity, poverty, corruption, and electoral fraud” during the conference’s first plenary meeting of 2025 in Abuja.
“While some of the governance challenges in the areas highlighted by the bishops 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,” the presidency stated.
The government claims significant security improvements, noting that “over 8000 criminals—bandits, armed robbers, Boko Haram terrorists, and kidnappers—have been eliminated, and over 10,000 Nigerians—primarily women and children—have been rescued from their abductors.”
On economic matters, the presidency highlighted several positive indicators: “Our balance of trade has improved, foreign reserves are in a stronger position, inflation has moderated, our currency is gaining strength against convertible currencies.”
The statement also referenced recent external validation: “Last week, Chatham House, a United Kingdom International Affairs policy think tank, praised President Tinubu’s economic management team.”
The administration acknowledged ongoing difficulties faced by many citizens but maintained optimism about Nigeria’s trajectory: “While we agree that many Nigerians still face difficulties, we remain convinced that the government is making the right decisions that will lead to a better and more prosperous country.”
