Fatimah Otunsanya
The Federal Government on Wednesday rejected claims that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, insisting that the country is making steady progress in tackling its security and economic challenges.
The position comes in response to recent warnings by a coalition of civil society organisations, which described the nation as facing worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and governance concerns.
Speaking in Abuja at the 81st General Assembly and 23rd Annual General Meeting of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed what he described as pessimistic narratives about the nation’s future.
“I want to unequivocally refute the insinuation that Nigeria is on the brink,” Idris said in a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.
He maintained that the country was demonstrating resilience in the face of its difficulties.
“On the contrary, we are daily exhibiting resilience and tackling our security and economic challenges more decisively,” he added.
The minister cited ongoing security operations as evidence of progress, noting that coordinated military offensives and improved intelligence-sharing had led to the neutralisation of bandits and disruption of attacks, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria.
According to him, these efforts were gradually weakening criminal networks and restoring stability in affected areas.
“Incidents of large-scale insurgent control have significantly decreased,” he said, adding that enhanced rapid-response mechanisms were being deployed nationwide to safeguard lives and property.
On the economy, Idris pointed to signs of recovery, including improvements in foreign reserves and the expansion of revenue sources across both oil and non-oil sectors. He attributed these gains to reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and fiscal discipline.
“These decisions, though difficult, are stabilising public finances and creating a more transparent economic environment,” the minister stated.
