We’ll defeat terrorism in Nigeria, Tinubu assures

.Charges Nigerians not to succumb to despair

No panic mode, FG will end insecurity, Information minister says

By Mathew Brangyet

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to defeating terrorism, assuring that the Federal Government is intensifying diplomatic engagements with the international community to ensure security across the country.

President Tinubu spoke at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja, on Thursday, after the swearing-in of two ministers, Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro, and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN).

Doro will manage the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, while Udeh will oversee the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

‎The president’s remarks came on the heels of the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The most important thing is that despite the political headwinds and fears among our people, we will continue to engage with our partners.

“The task ahead is immense. We are engaging the world diplomatically, and we assure all Nigerians that we will defeat terrorism in the country,” he said.

The president said his administration remained focused on peace, unity and progress of the nation.

“The task ahead is immense, but we are resolved to move forward with unity and purpose, guided by renewed hope, an agenda to build a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Nigeria,” Tinubu said.

On the security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, charged Nigerians not to succumb to despair, assuring that the government will defeat every form of terrorism and secure every part of the country.

He called Ministers and other officials to ensure consistency in communication and avoid discordant messaging.

“Do we have problems? Yes. Are we challenged by terrorism? Yes. But we will defeat terrorism. We will overcome the CPC designation.

“Nigeria is one happy family, and we shall spare no effort until we eliminate all criminals from our society. We want our friends to help us as we step up our fight against terrorism, and we will eliminate it,” the President assured.

During the cabinet meeting, President Tinubu, who directed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to brief the Council on the nation’s economic performance, stated that the government will continue to sustain and consolidate the gains.

In his address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy noted that the macroeconomic indicators showed the economy had picked up, with one of the best results in the last decade.

Edun said: “The reforms that have been taken under your Renewed Hope Agenda, so bold and sometimes unpopular, are rooted in a clear objective to build a competitive economy that attracts, creates jobs and lifts millions out of poverty.

“In Q2 2025, Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.23%, the highest in a decade, outside the COVID rebound. Thirteen sectors recorded growth above 7% up from nine sectors in the previous quarter.

“The industrial sector nearly doubled its growth from 3.72% to 7.45%, reflecting rising productivity and investor confidence. Inflation eased to 18.02% in September 2025. As we know, foreign exchange reserves topped $43 billion, and our trade surplus reached N7.4 trillion.

“Clear examples of macroeconomic stability, as the consumer spending basket published earlier this year shows, our citizens now spend maybe about half of the income on basic needs, food, shelter and clothing, as compared with almost 90% previously.

“This signals a country moving from subsistence towards productivity and indeed affluence.”

The minister said the vision of reaching a one trillion dollar economy by 2030 was achievable by pursuing a 7% annual growth and a commitment to ending poverty as a moral imperative.

“Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force Grey List marks a major milestone in strengthening our financial integrity and confidence.

“At the recent World Bank/IMF annual meetings, global leaders commended our reforms, our progress and the revised IMF growth forecast of up to nearly 4% and improved credit ratings,” the minister added.

He said there was an urgency to mobilise domestic resources and provide investment to finance infrastructure, as well as drive sustainability and job-rich growth.

“Yesterday’s hugely successful $2.35 billion Eurobond issuance, in which the order book peaked at over $13 billion, is a testament to continued investor confidence in our country, our reform agenda and Mr President’s leadership.

“Despite the political headwinds which we are all aware of, the market shrugged off those political considerations and focused on the economic fundamentals of Nigeria” he stated.

For greater inclusivity, Edun urged ministers overseeing sectors such as infrastructure, mining, education, health, agriculture, the blue economy, digital innovation, arts, and culture to collaborate with sub-national governments to identify and package projects that meet investor expectations.

“Every Naira must be optimised to sustain momentum amid global liquidity constraints. Where there is less funding from multilateral institutions, we must rely on our own resources.

“The next phase of reforms will remove barriers holding back investors. We will review tariffs and import restrictions to stimulate productivity and investment,” he said

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the Federal Government will not slide into panic mode but will continue to work assiduously with local and international partners to end terrorism and insecurity in the country.

‎The Information and National Orientation minister stated this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

He said the government is responding responsibly and diplomatically to the recent designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” by the United States.

“We don’t want to escalate the rhetoric — you have said, we have said, and all that. The responsibility that we have as a government is to ensure that whatever genuine concerns there are to keep our citizens safe, the Nigerian government will continue to do so,” Idris said.

‎“But there is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country, also taking into account the concerns both from within and outside this country about what the situation is.

“Let me say for the umpteenth time, Nigeria is a country that has tolerance for religion,” the minister added.‎

‎He said Nigeria remains committed to ensuring religious freedom and the safety of all citizens.

‎“The killing of even one Nigerian citizen is of concern to the government of Nigeria. Our Constitution guarantees the right of everyone to worship his or her religion without hindrance, and government remains committed to protecting that right,” he said.

‎Idris stressed that the government remains calm, focused, and stable in its approach to national security.

‎“The President is calm. The Federal Executive Council members are calm. There is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country,”

‎The minister said Nigeria will continue to collaborate with international and regional partners, noting that diplomatic channels have been opened with the U.S.‎

“The issues of terrorism and violent extremism are not limited to one country.

“We have porous borders, which is why we maintain cooperation with our regional and international partners, including the United States.

“Channels have been opened, and we prefer that this situation be resolved diplomatically,” he said.‎

‎Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens while preserving Nigeria’s dignity and sovereignty in international relations.