By Hosea Parah
The Federal Government has defended the economic and social reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting that Nigeria is steadily recovering despite ongoing economic hardship and security challenges.
Speaking at a national press conference in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said key economic indicators showed that the country was making significant progress under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the SGF, Yomi Odunuga, Akume said the Tinubu administration remained focused on fulfilling its campaign promises and would seek a renewed mandate from Nigerians during the 2027 general elections.
According to the SGF, Nigeria’s economy recorded steady growth, with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanding by 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.
While acknowledging the impact of inflation and insecurity on citizens, Akume maintained that government reforms were beginning to yield positive results.
“Government will never claim that every challenge has been solved. Inflation has been painful, though it is on a downward trend. Insecurity still threatens lives and livelihoods, but evidence shows that the country is moving in the right direction,” he said.
He described the Democracy Day briefing as part of the administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency, noting that June 12 represents both the sacrifices made to secure democratic governance and the responsibility of elected leaders to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Akume congratulated citizens on sustaining 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, describing the achievement as one of the longest democratic experiences on the African continent.
Highlighting the administration’s social intervention programmes, the SGF disclosed that more than three million vulnerable households had benefited from the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, while nearly one million Nigerians had accessed support through various government credit initiatives.
He revealed that the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CreditCorp) had disbursed N37 billion in consumer loans, with more than half of the beneficiaries receiving formal credit for the first time.
On education, Akume said over 1.058 million students had benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) since the implementation of the Student Loan Act, with more than N184 billion released for tuition fees and upkeep allowances.
The SGF also said the administration had expanded healthcare access through the National Health Insurance Authority framework and increased funding for primary healthcare centres nationwide.
Speaking on anti-corruption efforts, he noted that recovered proceeds from anti-graft operations had supported critical government interventions, including the transfer of over N50 billion in recovered assets to NELFUND.
Akume further stated that Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025 demonstrated the effectiveness of reforms aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.
On security, he said the Federal Government was investing in military capabilities and enhancing regional cooperation to tackle terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities. He urged Nigerians to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities.
“We can say clearly that institutional responses are being sharpened, coordination is improving, and reforms are continuing because peace and civic order are foundations of democratic progress,” he said
The SGF also called for national unity, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should be embraced as a source of strength.
“As we go into the cycle for the 2027 general elections, our responsibility is to finish what we commenced in 2023 and scale what is working. Our task is not completed yet and, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, more dividends will be delivered,” he added.
The press conference was part of activities lined up for the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, with ministers expected to present detailed briefings on achievements recorded in their respective sectors.