President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday assured the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria that the ongoing restructuring of the country’s security operations and institutions would deliver victory over terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
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Tinubu gave the assurance while receiving the CBCN delegation, led by its President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House, Abuja.
The President said Nigeria’s security architecture was being repositioned for greater efficiency through enhanced intelligence gathering, improved logistics, restructuring of security institutions and better welfare for frontline personnel.
He urged the Catholic Bishops and other religious leaders to speak strongly against violent attacks, guide their members and support government efforts to end insurgency and insecurity.
“We don’t have another country but here — this Nigeria. And I will refer to the national anthem that in our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all, and humanity,” Tinubu said.
“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons. I won’t deviate from our national anthem,” he added.
On poverty alleviation, Tinubu said his administration would continue to sustain interventions aimed at improving the livelihoods of families and citizens, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
The President said he had listened carefully to the concerns raised by the bishops, especially on security and education, and assured them that the country had been placed on a sound footing.
“I have listened to you carefully, and most importantly, your key areas are security and education. I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed,” he said.
“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.
“I always say, because of my background and profession, that I inherited the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. I have been running with it. This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” Tinubu added.
The President urged citizens to take advantage of opportunities provided by the government and private institutions, particularly in education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
He said Nigeria’s population growth required strong moral and social guidance from religious institutions, adding that faith leaders had a duty to give people hope and encourage commitment to humanity.
“We have no control over the population growth and trajectory. That is why you have membership in your various faiths, churches, to give hope to people and give commitment to humanity in the true sense of it. Our founding fathers did their best. They left us a nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to sustain it,” he said.
Tinubu also stressed that the unity, stability and prosperity of the country must remain sacred to all stakeholders.
Speaking on education, the President said his administration had kept universities open and avoided disruptions caused by strikes.
“To educate our children, I can say your children because you are revered fathers. You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes. Is that not an answer to our prayers? For me, that’s answered prayer,” he said.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Tinubu said the Independent National Electoral Commission had remained neutral and had not intimidated anyone.
“The opportunities are equal. INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the companies they keep, not me,” he said.
Responding to calls for the return of mission schools, Tinubu told the bishops that state governors, under the Constitution, had the authority to decide such matters.
He recalled that while he was Governor of Lagos State, he returned mission schools to their original owners.
“I returned all mission schools when I was the governor of Lagos State, and Cardinal Okogie, one of my best friends, is alive to testify to that,” Tinubu stated.
The President also said more universities had been approved to meet the rising demand for higher education, adding that statistics from the National Universities Commission would assist in budgeting for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
“I believe in what you believe; we should embrace education to get out of poverty,” Tinubu said.
Earlier, Ndagoso thanked the President for the warm reception given to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
The CBCN President raised concerns about security, quality tertiary education, limited admission spaces, poverty, credible elections and the need to sustain the gains of democracy.
He urged Tinubu to consider the return of mission schools and ensure fair treatment for all worshippers, including the provision of worship places across the country without discrimination.
Ndagoso also called for free and fair elections in 2027, saying Tinubu’s legacy should include strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions,” the Archbishop said.
The delegation included Most Rev. Alfred Martins, Archbishop of Lagos and CBCN Vice President; Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, Bishop of Abeokuta and CBCN Secretary; Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri and CBCN Assistant Secretary; John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja; Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, Bishop of Ekwulobia; Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja; Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, Archbishop of Ibadan; Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha; Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, Bishop of Oyo; Most Rev. Gerald Musa, Bishop of Katsina; and Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto.
Others were Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, Bishop of Enugu; Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, Bishop of Nsukka; Most Rev. Augustine Echema, Bishop of Aba; Most Rev. Christopher Naseri, Auxiliary Bishop of Calabar; Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, Secretary General; Rev. Fr. Peter Audu, Director, Church and Society Department; Rev. Fr. Michael Imhadowinyi; and Dickson Adeyanju.
The statement was issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on July 28, 2026.
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