By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Report
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s economic reforms, acknowledging the difficulties citizens face but insisting that tough decisions are necessary to secure the nation’s future.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the President emphasised that economic restructuring, including the removal of fuel subsidies, is vital to preventing national bankruptcy and ensuring sustainable development.
President Tinubu reflected the importance of shared responsibility in nation-building, stressing that poverty transcends religious and ethnic boundaries.
“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a choice Nigeria must make. We cannot bankrupt our country. We were spending the investment meant for the future of our children. Poverty has no religious identity; it affects all, and we must fight it together,” he stated.
The President also mentioned the significance of tax reforms as an avenue for national investment, encouraging citizens to view the restructuring as a pathway to economic resilience.
Addressing a request from the bishops to return mission schools taken over by the government, President Tinubu clarified that education falls under state jurisdiction.
However, he cited his tenure as Lagos State Governor as a model for returning such institutions to their original owners.
He commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to education and healthcare and assured the bishops that his administration remains committed to improving the education sector.
The President pointed to the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to support students who might otherwise be unable to afford tuition. He also acknowledged the need to explore additional financial support for students in private institutions.
On security and national unity, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating insurgency and criminal activities, stressing that all Nigerians, regardless of religious background, feel the effects of insecurity.
“This insecurity affects everyone—Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I will not be a bigot. My wife is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). But we must think of our country; we must build beyond religious differences,” he declared.
The President assured religious leaders of his openness to dialogue and appreciated their prayers, highlighting improvements in various sectors, including agriculture and investment inflows.
“There is hope. Investors are coming in, and they are saying good things about Nigeria. What seemed like a difficult start is now showing promise. And we are not even at half-time yet.”
The delegation, led by Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri and CBCN President, commended the President’s policy initiatives while urging for greater efforts to inspire confidence among Nigerians.
“Your government’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda aligns with Pope Francis’ declaration of this year as the Jubilee Year of Hope. We commend your tax reforms but urge further measures to cushion the impact of subsidy removal,” Archbishop Ugorji said.
The bishops called for a clear distinction between religion and governance, advocating for policies that promote national unity without infringing on individual rights.
They also urged the government to cease sponsorship of religious pilgrimages, citing financial wastage and corruption.
“The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organising pilgrimages. Public funds should be redirected towards pressing national needs,” the CBCN President added.
Contributing, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who was present at the meeting, reflected the government’s stance on reform, stating that temporary hardships are a necessary phase in national transformation.
“Reforms worldwide come with initial difficulties. But today, the federal government has more resources to fulfil its promises and secure the future of coming generations,” he said.
Mohammed also noted significant improvements in security, citing the safer Abuja-Kaduna corridor as an example. He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering national values, including the reintroduction of civic education and religious studies in schools.
The meeting was also attended by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, reinforcing the administration’s focus on both economic stability and national security.
