President Bola Tinubu has described banditry and terrorism as threats that are alien to Nigeria’s values and a major obstacle to economic growth, vowing that his administration will intensify efforts to end insecurity across the country.
The President spoke on Monday at the opening of the second National Economic Council conference held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Tinubu said persistent attacks by armed groups had disrupted lives and livelihoods, stressing the need for urgent and coordinated action.
“Banditry and terrorism are unacceptable. They are not part of who we are as a people; they are foreign to our culture,” the President said.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would strengthen security agencies to confront the menace decisively.
“We will continue to find ways to reinforce our security forces to defeat terrorism and combat banditry. This challenge has kept many Nigerians awake at night, but with determination and resilience, we will prevail,” Tinubu stated.
The President noted that continued insecurity poses a serious economic risk, particularly to agriculture, trade, and investment.
“If we fail to find immediate solutions, insecurity will remain a major economic hindrance to our national development,” he added.
Tinubu’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over violent attacks in parts of the country, including recent incidents in Kwara and Katsina states, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and displacement of residents.
At the conference, the President commended some state governments for their efforts in addressing insecurity, specifically acknowledging the governors of Borno and Katsina states.
“I commend those of you who have worked tirelessly to defend our freedom, liberty, and commonwealth,” he said.
The President also linked the security crisis to the need for reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector, stressing that ranching and livestock investment must form part of long-term solutions to farmer-herder conflicts.
“This conference must produce resolutions on ranching, dairy farming, livestock investment, and agricultural diversification. I assure Nigerians that these reforms will be delivered,” Tinubu said.
He recalled his earlier directive to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the NEC to develop a comprehensive roadmap for transforming the livestock industry through modern ranching systems.
The two-day NEC conference, chaired by the Vice President, is themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development: The Renewed Hope National Development Plan.”
It is expected to focus on fiscal coordination, investment mobilisation, and collaboration between federal and state governments.
State governors, senior government officials, development partners, and private-sector leaders are participating in the conference as part of efforts to advance the Federal Government’s economic and security reforms.
