The federal government has acknowledged that inflation and insecurity remain pressing challenges for millions of Nigerians, even as it defended the sweeping economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and argued that key indicators suggest the country is beginning to stabilise.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the administration was under no illusion about the hardships facing citizens but maintained that recent economic data pointed to gradual progress.
“The government, though with all hands on deck, would never claim that every challenge has been solved,” Akume said. “While we pursue various reforms diligently, with purpose and with compassion, the government recognises that inflation has been painful, though it is on a downward trend. The government is similarly conscious of the fact that insecurity still threatens lives and livelihoods.”
The briefing, attended by members of the Federal Executive Council, formed part of activities commemorating Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and served, in Akume’s words, as an exercise in public accountability as the administration approaches the midpoint of its first term.
Despite widespread concern over the cost-of-living crisis and continuing security threats, the government sought to present a picture of an economy recovering from years of structural weaknesses. Akume pointed to official figures showing that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product expanded by 4.07% in the final quarter of 2025 and by 3.89% in the first quarter of 2026.
“Evidence shows that the country is moving in the right direction,” he said.
The administration also highlighted its social intervention programmes, arguing that they had softened the impact of difficult reforms introduced since 2023. According to Akume, more than one million students have benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, with over N184bn disbursed for tuition and upkeep.
He said millions of households had also received support through the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme, while government-backed consumer credit initiatives had widened access to formal financing.
Defending fiscal reforms that have attracted criticism from opposition politicians and labour groups, Akume argued that tax measures enacted in 2025 were designed to improve revenue collection and strengthen transparency in public finance.
On anti-corruption efforts, he said government agencies had continued to recover illicit assets and prosecute offenders, adding that recovered funds had helped finance the student loan scheme. He also credited reforms to Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks for the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in October 2025.
“Accountability in this administration is sacrosanct,” he said.
Yet security concerns featured prominently throughout the briefing, with Akume conceding that the challenge remained far from resolved.
“We continue to confront internal security challenges. Government will not pretend that insecurity will disappear today without the active support of all Nigerians,” he said.
He said the administration was increasing recruitment into the armed forces and security agencies, expanding funding and strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries and international partners.
Describing security as a shared responsibility, Akume urged citizens to support law enforcement agencies through intelligence-sharing and vigilance.
The SGF also used the occasion to appeal for national unity amid persistent ethnic, regional and religious tensions.
“In a country as diverse and plural as ours, development is strongest when trust is stronger than division,” he said.
He pointed to government support for interfaith dialogue through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council and the recent approval of a National Values Charter intended to promote citizenship, tolerance and national cohesion.
In remarks likely to fuel political debate ahead of the next election cycle, Akume suggested the administration would seek a renewed mandate in 2027 on the basis of its reform programme.
“Our responsibility is to finish what we commenced in 2023, and as we go into the cycle for the 2027 general elections seeking a revalidation of our mandate, we shall scale what is working,” he said.
“This government remains prepared to be judged by evidence.”
In his opening address, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described Democracy Day as an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey and honour those who fought for the restoration of civilian rule.
He paid tribute to the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and acknowledged the contributions of pro-democracy activists, including President Bola Tinubu.
“Democracy Day occupies a unique place in our national calendar,” Idris said. “It provides an opportunity for us to reflect on our democratic journey, celebrate the resilience of our institutions and honour the sacrifices of patriots who stood firm in the struggle for democratic governance.”
He described Nigeria’s 27 consecutive years of civilian government as a significant milestone, saying it reflected the determination of citizens to uphold democratic values despite recurring economic and security challenges.
Nigeria has maintained uninterrupted democratic rule since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999. Yet successive administrations have struggled with many of the same issues, including inflation, weak economic productivity, insurgency in the north-east, banditry across parts of the north-west and recurring communal violence in several regions.
Against that backdrop, the government’s Democracy Day message sought to strike a balance between acknowledging public frustration and persuading Nigerians that the reforms of the past three years are beginning to lay the foundations for longer-term stability.
