Mid-Term: Security and Economy Are Recovering Under My Watch — Tinubu…President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that his administration is making substantial progress in addressing Nigeria’s long-standing economic and security challenges.
Speaking at the midpoint of his tenure, the president expressed confidence in the trajectory of the country, crediting bold reforms and strategic investments for stabilizing the economy and strengthening national security.
Reflecting on two years in office, Tinubu said his government took tough but necessary decisions to redirect the country from a path of fiscal instability to sustainable growth.
One of the cornerstone reforms, he noted, was the removal of the fuel subsidy, a policy he described as unsustainable and detrimental to national development.
The president said the subsidy had cost Nigeria about $10 billion annually, limiting the government’s ability to invest in critical sectors.
Its removal, he explained, has significantly reduced petrol imports by nearly 50 percent and increased monthly revenues for states and local governments through the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).
According to Tinubu, the funds previously consumed by fuel subsidies are now being channeled into sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.
He added that this financial shift is already improving the quality of governance at both federal and state levels.
In the area of foreign exchange, the president pointed to the unification of Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates and the elimination of the foreign exchange subsidy as key steps that have restored investor confidence.
He noted that by reforming Bureau De Change operations and lifting restrictions on foreign exchange for specific imports, the Central Bank of Nigeria was able to clear a backlog of $7 billion in forex obligations.
These efforts, he said, contributed to a stronger Naira and turned the Nigerian Stock Exchange into one of the world’s top-performing markets as of April 2024.
On the security front, President Tinubu acknowledged the persistent threats posed by insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping.
However, he emphasized that his administration has achieved notable successes in curbing these threats.
Between June 2023 and May 2025, over 4,600 hostages were rescued, more than 9,000 suspected criminals neutralized, and over 7,000 arrests made.
The president also reported the recovery of more than 4,800 illegal firearms and nearly 94,000 rounds of ammunition within the same period.
To enhance Nigeria’s security infrastructure, Tinubu said the Nigerian Air Force has acquired five new aircraft, including two Diamond 62 surveillance planes, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, and a King Air 360 ER.
He further revealed the creation of the Mines Marshal Corps, a 2,200-member security force tasked with protecting mining sites and combating illegal mining activities.
Additionally, the annual recruitment of 30,000 new police officers is underway to improve law enforcement across the country.
Infrastructure development has also taken a front seat in Tinubu’s agenda.
He announced the establishment of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, aimed at raising N20 trillion to finance major national projects.
Among these are the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway, the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Rail, and various seaport and airport upgrades.
The construction of the coastal highway has already begun, while design work on the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway is in progress.
In agriculture, Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security, renamed the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and launched the National Agricultural Development Fund with an initial allocation of N100 billion.
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The federal government has also released 42,000 metric tonnes of grains and 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to support vulnerable Nigerians and ease pressure on food prices.
Concluding his remarks, President Tinubu admitted that challenges remain but reiterated that his administration is laying the groundwork for a more stable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria.
He called on citizens to remain patient and supportive, assuring them that the sacrifices being made today will yield lasting benefits for generations to come.
