Abuja, Nigeria –President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to tackling Nigeria’s urgent challenges, such as widespread insecurity and economic struggles.
Reiterating his dedication during Friday talks with Catholic bishops, he vowed to prioritize inclusive solutions, ensuring equitable progress across religious divides.
Highlighting inclusivity, he emphasized his administration’s focus on equitable progress and rejected religious discrimination in governance.
By addressing systemic issues directly, Tinubu aims to foster unity while confronting the nation’s crises head-on.
He declared, “Insecurity spares no one—Christians or Muslims,” while firmly vowing, “I refuse to embrace bigotry as a leader.”
Highlighting personal ties to religious diversity, he added, “My wife pastors in the Redeemed Christian Church,” underscoring his inclusive worldview.
However, he acknowledged public frustration over economic hardship post-subsidy removal, admitting inflation, soaring food costs, and a weakened Naira strain households nationwide.
However, Tinubu defended the move as a necessary step to safeguard Nigeria’s financial stability.
“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a hard choice that Nigeria must face.
We are not going to bankrupt our country,” Tinubu stated in remarks shared by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
While acknowledging current economic hurdles, Tinubu expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future, highlighting emerging positive indicators.
He emphasized increased foreign investments, stronger petroleum sector competition, and higher farm outputs, showing his policies’ effectiveness.
Transitioning to specifics, he linked progress to strategic reforms, noting rising global investor interest and agricultural productivity gains as early validation of his administration’s approach.
“There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying good things about Nigeria. I am very proud of that. What seems to be a very difficult beginning is now showing us hope. And we are not even at half-time yet,” he said.
On the issue of security, Tinubu acknowledged the rising wave of violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings across the country but assured Nigerians that security agencies are working tirelessly to address these challenges. “This insecurity affects everyone,” he reiterated, emphasizing that his administration is committed to ensuring safety for all citizens.
However, many Nigerians remain skeptical about the government’s ability to deliver on its promises. Since the removal of fuel subsidies, millions have been pushed further into poverty, businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and public sentiment has soured amid record-high inflation and economic hardship.
While Tinubu painted an optimistic picture of Nigeria’s trajectory, critics argue that tangible improvements remain elusive for most citizens. For now, the President continues to urge patience and trust in his administration’s long-term vision for economic recovery and national security.
