President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to defeating terrorism and banditry, describing the security challenges confronting the country as “unacceptable” and completely at odds with Nigeria’s values and identity.
Speaking on Monday while declaring open the Second National Economic Council (NEC) Conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President assured Nigerians that his administration is intensifying efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture and restore peace to all affected communities.
“This is a burden that keeps all of us awake at night, but I assure Nigerians that we will win with determination and resilience,” President Tinubu said. “We will overcome this unacceptable terrorism and banditry. It is not part of our culture; it is foreign to who we are as a people.”
The President reiterated his pledge to support security agencies with the resources required to succeed, noting that improved security remains central to economic recovery and national development.
“I promise you that I will play my part. Seven zones of mechanisation are coming, and I assure Nigerians that these commitments will be delivered,” he stated. “I am here again to find further ways to strengthen our security forces and decisively defeat terrorism.”
President Tinubu stressed that insecurity poses a serious obstacle to economic growth, calling for collective action across all levels of government to address the challenge urgently.
He commended the governors of Borno, Katsina and Kaduna states, among others, for their efforts in safeguarding lives and property. “You have done so much to defend our freedom, liberty and our commonwealth, and I commend you for that,” he said.
Welcoming state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, development partners and private sector leaders to the two-day conference themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030,” President Tinubu described the gathering as a testament to shared responsibility for Nigeria’s progress.
“I am pleased to address this second edition of the NEC Conference at a critical moment in our development journey,” he said. “The National Economic Council remains a cornerstone of fiscal federalism and economic governance in Nigeria.”
He praised the NEC, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, for sustaining a vital platform for policy coordination and strategic engagement among the federal and state governments.
Highlighting achievements recorded so far, the President said the administration’s economic reforms have helped stabilise the economy and rebuild investor confidence.
“The monetary policy reforms we embarked upon have yielded positive results and earned recognition around the world,” President Tinubu noted, commending the Central Bank of Nigeria under Governor Yemi Cardoso for restoring confidence in the nation’s monetary framework.
According to the President, state and local governments now enjoy increased and more predictable federal allocations, enabling them to pay salaries promptly, invest in infrastructure and deliver essential social services.
He added that the government has prioritised infrastructure development in transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing and irrigation, alongside expanded social investment and human capital programmes targeting vulnerable households, youths, women and small businesses.
“The Renewed Hope Ward Development Project clearly demonstrates our commitment to grassroots inclusion through a bottom-up approach to national development,” he said. “These achievements are the result of strong collaboration between the federal and state governments, development partners and the private sector.”
President Tinubu explained that the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026–2030 marks the next phase of Nigeria’s growth journey, anchored on inclusive, resilient and environmentally sustainable development.
“The Plan focuses on economic diversification and productivity, human capital development, subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage, private sector-led growth and climate resilience,” he stated.
He emphasised that successful implementation would depend largely on action at the state and local government levels, making the NEC crucial for aligning national objectives with subnational realities.
“This conference has reinforced collaboration, shared accountability and a focus on practical solutions with measurable outcomes,” the President said. “We must now move decisively from declarations to implementation through data-driven decision-making, peer learning among states and innovative financing models.”
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, President Tinubu said Nigeria stands at a historic moment of opportunity and expressed confidence that resolutions from the conference would drive agricultural diversification, including investments in dairy farming, livestock development and ranching.
