By Awuya Maryanne
Amid lingering economic pain and security anxieties, the Federal Government double downed on its economic strategy on Tuesday, declaring that President Bola Tinubu’s reforms are starting to yield positive results,
At a pre-Democracy Day media briefing in Abuja ahead of the 2026 Democracy Day, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume reassured Nigerians that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” is on track to deliver a better quality of life.
Standing in for President Tinubu, Akume also celebrated a historic milestone – 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, which he described as a powerful symbol of the people’s resilience.
According to him, June 12 serves both as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for democracy and a mandate for elected leaders to justify public trust through tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
He acknowledged that inflation and insecurity continue to affect many Nigerians but noted that government reforms are gradually addressing the challenges.
“The government cannot claim that every challenge has been solved, but we are making steady progress through deliberate reforms and targeted interventions,” he said.
The SGF said recent economic indicators show signs of improvement, noting that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.
He also highlighted fiscal reforms undertaken by the administration, including tax laws signed in 2025, which he said were designed to improve compliance, strengthen accountability and boost domestic revenue generation.
On social protection, Akume said government interventions have helped to cushion the effects of economic reforms on vulnerable households.
He disclosed that more than three million households had benefited from government support programmes, while the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation provided consumer credit worth N37 billion to over 200,000 Nigerians in 2025.
The SGF said healthcare remains a priority for the administration, adding that resources have been provided to support over 8,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide, with plans to expand coverage to 17,000 facilities.
He further revealed that the student loan scheme has surpassed one million beneficiaries, describing it as one of the administration’s major investments in human capital development.
Akume also cited efforts to strengthen anti-corruption measures, improve public accountability and enhance institutional reforms across government agencies.
On security, he said the administration has continued to invest in the armed forces and security agencies while strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries to combat terrorism and other threats.
While admitting that security challenges persist, he said government efforts are producing results and called on citizens to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
“The safety and security of Nigerians remain our top priority and government will not compromise on this responsibility,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance as a significant achievement that demonstrates the country’s commitment to democratic values, institution building and national development.
He said the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration offers an opportunity to review progress made under the Renewed Hope Agenda and assess the impact of ongoing reforms.
The minister said the briefing was organised to provide Nigerians and the international community with an overview of the administration’s achievements, challenges and future direction as it continues efforts to build a stronger and more inclusive nation.
Author
Leave a comment