The Presidency has expressed optimism that Nigeria is moving in the right direction, despite concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference about the state of the economy and polity.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the Presidency acknowledged the challenges facing the country but noted that significant progress has been made since President Bola Tinubu took office 22 months ago.
“We agree that many Nigerians still face difficulties, but we remain convinced that the government is making the right decisions that will lead to a better and more prosperous country,” the statement said.
The Presidency highlighted the achievements of the Tinubu administration, including improved security, which has led to increased food production and driven down prices of essential commodities.
“In terms of insecurity, Nigeria is more secure today than it was in 2023, thanks to our military and other security agencies and the strong leadership provided by President Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief,” the statement said.
According to the Presidency, over 8,000 criminals, including 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.
The statement also noted that the economy has been stabilized, with improved balance of trade, stronger foreign reserves, and increased local refining capacity.
The Tinubu administration has also designed programs to catalyze youth employment, including 3MTT, NATEP, LEEP, IDiCE, NiYA, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, aiming to create over 10 million new jobs.
The unprecedented N54.9 trillion 2025 budget is designed to revitalize the economy and set it on a new growth trajectory.
The Presidency expressed appreciation for the constant interventions of the Catholic Bishops in matters of governance, acknowledging their patriotic fervor and commitment to national unity, peace, and stability.
“We remain optimistic about the future and the ongoing positive changes,” the statement said. “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.”
