President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for Nigerians to rise above religious bigotry and unite in tackling the nation’s economic and security challenges. Speaking in Abuja while hosting a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House, Tinubu acknowledged the difficulties posed by ongoing economic reforms but stressed their importance for the country’s future.
In his remarks, Tinubu referred to the difficult decision of removing the fuel subsidy, calling it a necessary step to prevent Nigeria from going bankrupt. “We cannot bankrupt our country,” he said, stressing that poverty does not discriminate and affects everyone, regardless of religion or ethnicity. He urged Nigerians to support tax reforms as a way to invest in the country’s growth and overcome poverty together.
On security, Tinubu assured the bishops that security agencies are making notable progress in addressing the nation’s security challenges. He highlighted that insecurity impacts all Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliations, and reaffirmed his commitment to religious tolerance. “Insecurity affects everyone—Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I will not be a bigot,” he stated, emphasizing the need for the country to prioritize its development above religious divides.
The president also expressed gratitude to religious leaders for their prayers, pointing to positive economic developments, including increased competition in the petroleum sector, improved agricultural yields, and reduced commodity prices. He noted rising foreign investments as a sign of growing optimism for Nigeria’s future, saying, “There is hope; people are coming in to invest. They are saying positive things about Nigeria. I’m very proud of that.”
Tinubu concluded by expressing confidence that Nigeria’s journey, though challenging, is showing promising results and thanked the religious community for their continued support and prayers.