By JKNewsMedia
DEFEAT OF terrorism and banditry formed the centrepiece of President Bola Tinubu’s address on Monday as he declared the threats unacceptable and foreign to Nigeria’s values.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that declaring open the Second National Economic Council Conference (SNECC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s security forces and restore peace across affected communities.
“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.
“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,” he said.
The President described insecurity as an economic hindrance and said all hands must be on deck to find an immediate solution.
He commended the governors of Borno, Katsina and Kaduna states, as well as others, for doing so much to defend freedom, liberty and the commonwealth.
Addressing state governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, development partners and private sector leaders at the two-day conference themed Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable National Development The Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026 to 2030, Tinubu said the gathering reflected collective dedication to national progress.
He praised the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, for sustaining a platform for policy coordination and strategic dialogue.
“I am pleased to address the second edition of the NECC at a critical moment in Nigeria’s development journey. NEC remains a cornerstone of fiscal federalism and economic governance in our country,” he said.
Tinubu said economic reforms undertaken since inception have helped stabilise the economy and restore confidence.
“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 said.
He commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under Governor Yemi Cardoso for restoring confidence in monetary policy and said state and local governments now receive increased and more predictable federal allocations to pay salaries, invest in infrastructure and deliver social services.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated February 9, 2026, said infrastructure development across transportation, power, digital connectivity, housing and irrigation has been prioritised.
The President also cited expanded social investment and human capital programmes targeting vulnerable households, youth, women and small businesses, alongside grassroots initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Renewed Hope Ward Development Project further demonstrates our commitment to grassroots inclusion through a bottom-up approach to national development.
“These successes reflect strong collaboration among the federal and state governments, development partners and the private sector,” he said.
Tinubu said the Renewed Hope National Development Plan 2026 to 2030 represents the next phase of Nigeria’s national journey and is anchored in inclusive, resilient and environmentally sustainable growth.
“The Plan prioritises economic diversification and productivity; human capital development; subnational competitiveness based on comparative advantage; private sector led growth; 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.
“This Conference has reinforced collaboration, shared accountability and a focus on practical solutions and measurable outcomes.
“We must move decisively from declarations to implementation through data driven decision making, peer learning among states and innovative financing models,” he said.
He told participants that while the task is challenging, the opportunity is historic, adding that resolutions from the conference would advance agricultural diversification, including dairy farming, livestock investment and ranching.
