President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria will defeat terrorism and banditry, describing the persistent security challenges as unacceptable and alien to the nation’s values, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s security architecture and restoring stability across affected regions.
Speaking on Monday while declaring open the Second National Economic Council (NEC) Conference at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, the President assured Nigerians that tackling insecurity remains a top priority of his government.
“I promise you here that I’ll play my part. Seven zones of mechanisation are coming. I promise Nigerians that this will be delivered, and I am here again to further find ways to strengthen our security forces and defeat terrorism,” Tinubu said.
“That, I promise you, is what has kept all of us sleepless at night, but I assure you we will win with determination and resilience. We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry. It’s not part of our culture. It’s foreign to us.”
The President described insecurity as a major economic constraint, stressing that coordinated action across all levels of government is essential to achieving sustainable development. He commended the governors of Borno, Katsina and Kaduna states, among others, for what he described as their efforts in defending citizens and protecting national assets.
The two-day conference, themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030,” brought together state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, development partners and private sector leaders to align strategies for economic transformation.
Tinubu described the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, as a critical platform for fiscal coordination and policy alignment. “I am pleased to address the second edition of the National Economic Council Conference at a critical moment in Nigeria’s development journey. NEC remains a cornerstone of fiscal federalism and economic governance in our country,” he said.
Highlighting his administration’s economic reforms, the President noted that recent monetary and fiscal measures have helped stabilise the economy and rebuild confidence among investors and development partners. “I must say again at this juncture, the monetary policy that we have embarked on since the reforms has yielded positive results and gained recognition around the world,” he added, while commending the Central Bank of Nigeria under Governor Yemi Cardoso for restoring confidence in monetary management.
According to Tinubu, improved federal allocations to state and local governments have enhanced their capacity to meet salary obligations, invest in infrastructure and deliver social services. He said the government has prioritised investments in transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing and irrigation, alongside expanded social protection programmes targeting vulnerable households, youth, women and small businesses.
“The Renewed Hope Ward Development Project further demonstrates our commitment to grassroots inclusion through a bottom-up approach to national development,” the President said, adding that the progress recorded so far reflects strong collaboration between the federal and state governments, development partners and the private sector.
Tinubu described the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030 as the next phase of Nigeria’s development strategy, focused on economic diversification, human capital development, private sector-led growth, subnational competitiveness and climate resilience.
“Its success will depend largely on effective implementation at the state and local government levels, making NEC central to aligning national priorities with subnational realities,” he said. “We must move decisively from declarations to implementation through data-driven decision-making, peer learning among states and innovative financing models.”
While acknowledging the scale of the challenges facing the country, the President expressed optimism that the outcomes of the conference would accelerate key reforms, particularly in agricultural diversification, including dairy development, livestock investment and ranching.
Tinubu concluded by stressing that the moment demands decisive action, describing the current phase as both difficult and historic for Nigeria’s future.
