President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured Nigerians that his administration understands the economic hardships they face but emphasized that ongoing reforms are necessary to build a resilient nation and secure the future of younger generations.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Friday while receiving the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), President Tinubu defended his government’s policy decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies and tax reforms, as essential steps to prevent the country from financial collapse.
“Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a hard choice that Nigeria must face. We are not going to bankrupt our country,” the President stated.
He stressed that poverty knows no religion and called for collective efforts to address economic challenges. He also noted that security agencies have made significant progress in tackling insecurity, which affects both Christians and Muslims alike.
“My wife is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church. I have no religious bias, and I will not be a bigot. But we must put our country first and build a nation that stands beyond religious divisions,” he added.
On the Bishops’ request for the return of mission schools taken over by the government, President Tinubu clarified that education falls under state jurisdiction but highlighted his own precedent in Lagos, where he returned such schools while serving as governor.
The President praised the Catholic Church’s contributions to education and healthcare and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian student drops out of school due to financial constraints. He said the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had been established to assist students in public institutions, and efforts were underway to extend support to those in private universities.
In response, CBCN President and Archbishop of Owerri, Most Reverend Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, congratulated President Tinubu on his election victory and commended his efforts to reposition the country. He acknowledged that the fuel subsidy removal had impacted Nigerians but expressed optimism that tax reforms would, in the long run, generate more resources for national development.
The Bishops also urged the government to ensure religion serves as a unifying force in Nigeria and called for an end to state-sponsored religious pilgrimages, arguing that funds should be redirected to more pressing national needs.
“The government should allow religious groups to take full responsibility for organizing pilgrimages. The current structure has been marred by inefficiency and corruption,” Archbishop Ugorji said.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, assured the Bishops that government reforms were yielding results. He cited improved security on major highways and better conditions for farmers as evidence of progress.
National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was also in attendance at the meeting.
