The Nigerian Presidency has strongly defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration against concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), insisting that the government has made remarkable progress in economic recovery, security, and youth empowerment.
In a statement released on Monday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, acknowledged the bishops’ concerns but maintained that the administration had already set the country on the path of transformation.
The CBCN, at its first plenary meeting of 2025 in Abuja, had expressed deep concerns over widespread insecurity, poverty, corruption, electoral malpractices, and rising youth unemployment. Speaking on behalf of the bishops, CBCN President Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru lamented that despite promises of reforms, Nigerians continued to suffer economic hardships and security threats.
Responding to the bishops’ concerns, Onanuga assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration valued and respected the CBCN’s interventions in governance.
“President Bola Tinubu deeply appreciates the patriotic fervor of the Catholic Bishops and their commitment to national unity, peace, and stability. Their voices remain crucial in our nation-building efforts,” Onanuga stated.
Dismissing fears of worsening insecurity, the presidency insisted that Nigeria was now safer compared to the previous administration.
“Thanks to President Tinubu’s strong leadership as Commander-in-Chief, our military and security agencies have neutralized over 8,000 criminals, including terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers. More than 10,000 abducted Nigerians, mostly women and children, have been rescued,” Onanuga claimed.
He further asserted that improved security in the North-East and North-West had enabled displaced farmers to return to their farmlands, leading to increased food production and price stabilization.
“Farmers in Kaduna, Kebbi, and Jigawa states are living testimonies of the improved security climate,” he added.
On the economic front, the presidency argued that Tinubu’s administration had successfully pulled Nigeria back from the brink of collapse.
“The government inherited an economy in crisis, but through strategic reforms, we have stabilized the trade balance, strengthened foreign reserves, and enhanced local refining capacity,” Onanuga stated.
He highlighted Tinubu’s bold decisions, such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, as policies that would yield long-term benefits despite initial hardships.
He also pointed to a report from Chatham House, a UK-based think tank, which allegedly commended Tinubu’s policies, stating that Nigeria’s economy was now “the most competitive it has been in 25 years.”
To tackle unemployment, Onanuga revealed that Tinubu’s administration had launched several job creation initiatives, including the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, targeted at generating over 10 million jobs.
“Nigeria is spending more on economic and social infrastructure—roads, power, healthcare, education, and security—than ever before. The N54.9 trillion 2025 budget is designed to drive massive economic expansion,” he said.
While acknowledging that Nigerians were still facing challenges, the presidency urged patience, assuring that the administration’s policies were laying the foundation for a prosperous future.
“We understand the difficulties, but we are making the right decisions that will lead to a better, more prosperous Nigeria,” Onanuga concluded.
The exchange between the CBCN and the presidency highlights the growing tension over Nigeria’s economic direction, with many citizens eagerly waiting to see if Tinubu’s promised reforms will indeed deliver the transformation the government claims
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