President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism and banditry, assuring Nigerians that the security challenges confronting the country will be overcome with resolve and resilience.
The President gave the assurance in his opening remarks at the ongoing National Executive Council Conference on Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development. He described insecurity as a major concern that has kept leaders “sleepless at night,” but emphasized that it is neither acceptable nor intrinsic to Nigeria’s culture.
“I am leaving here again to further find means to strengthen our security forces to defeat terrorism and banditry, that I promise you,” Tinubu said. “We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry; it is not part of our culture. It is foreign to us. If we fail to find a solution, it becomes an economic encumbrance.”
President Tinubu commended several state governors for their efforts in safeguarding lives and property, with special recognition for the governors of Borno, Katsina, and Kaduna states, as well as others contributing significantly to national security and the protection of Nigeria’s freedom and commonwealth.
On the economy, the President outlined key steps being taken to strengthen macroeconomic stability, including improved revenue performance, stronger public financial management, and enhanced fiscal coordination. He noted that his administration has prioritized infrastructure development in transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing, and irrigation as critical drivers of inclusive growth.
Tinubu also highlighted expanded social investment and human capital development programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable households, youth, women, and small businesses. According to him, the Renewed Hope Ward Development Project underscores the government’s commitment to grassroots inclusion through a bottom-up approach to national development.
“These successes reflect strong collaboration among the federal government, state governments, local governments, development partners, and the private sector,” he said.
Looking ahead, the President unveiled the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030, describing it as evidence-based, realistic, and anchored on inclusive, balanced, and environmentally sustainable growth. He explained that the plan prioritizes economic diversification and productivity, human capital development, subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage, and climate resilience.
Tinubu stressed that the success of the plan will depend largely on effective implementation at the state and local government levels, noting that this is essential for aligning national priorities with local realities.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Sunday received the Commander of the United States Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, alongside senior American and Nigerian security officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The visit underscored the enduring defence and security partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in addressing shared security concerns.
The high-level meeting brought together Nigeria’s top security leadership, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu. Also in attendance were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Uandiandeye.
The American delegation included the United States Charge d’Affaires in Nigeria, Keith Heffern; AFRICOM’s Senior Foreign Policy Adviser, Peter Vrooman; and the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of AFRICOM, Garric M. Banfield. Although details of the discussions were not disclosed, the meeting comes amid expanding security cooperation between both countries, particularly in support of Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations in the North-East and North-West, as well as broader efforts to promote regional stability across West Africa.
