Tinubu Committed to Stronger Partnership With Catholic Bishops, Tinubu Committed to Stronger Partnership With Catholic Bishops, Stakeholders to Address National Challenges – Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to strengthening collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), other faith-based organisations and key stakeholders to tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges and promote national development.

In a statement following the recent meeting between President Tinubu and the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Akume said sustained dialogue with religious bodies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector and citizens remained critical to fostering peace, social cohesion and sustainable development.

He stressed that the Federal Government values the Catholic Church’s longstanding contributions to education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and moral guidance, describing the Church as one of Nigeria’s most important development partners.
According to the SGF, discussions between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops were candid and constructive, covering issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, education, public services, electoral credibility, political pluralism and religious freedom.
Akume noted that while there were differing views on some issues, both parties remained united in their commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress.
The SGF said the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would continue consultations with the Catholic Bishops, other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in the national interest.
On the economy, Akume acknowledged that many Nigerians were experiencing hardship but described the situation as temporary, insisting that the administration’s reforms were necessary to address long-standing structural problems and place the economy on a sustainable path.
He highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, rail transport investments, nationwide road rehabilitation and the ongoing transformation of Abuja’s road network.
He also cited government interventions in agriculture through the National Agricultural Land Development Agency (NALDA), electricity reforms, healthcare upgrades, regional development commissions, recruitment into ministries and agencies, and social programmes such as NELFUND, Credit Corps, Conditional Cash Transfers and support for small businesses.
According to Akume, there are signs that the reforms are yielding positive results, including improved stability in the foreign exchange market, moderating inflation, declining food prices and renewed investor confidence.
On security, the SGF admitted that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping remained major concerns but said the government was strengthening the nation’s security architecture through reforms in intelligence, logistics, recruitment, technology and personnel welfare.
He pointed to the establishment of four new Army divisions in Benue, Kwara, Taraba and Edo states, as well as the creation of the Office of Homeland Security, as part of the administration’s efforts to improve national security.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s democracy, Akume reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to constitutional democracy, the rule of law and a multi-party political system.
He dismissed suggestions that the government was pursuing a one-party state, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had registered 21 political parties and assuring that the Federal Government would continue to respect the commission’s constitutional independence.
The SGF added that President Tinubu’s administration would remain open to sincere advice from respected national institutions and continue to govern with transparency, accountability and evidence-based policies.
“Our diversity is our source of strength. In spite of many, we are one people,” Akume said, expressing confidence that continued collaboration between government and the Church would help build a more peaceful, resilient and prosperous Nigeria.