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 by his media aide Rabiu Ibrahim.
He maintained that the country is 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 have led to the neutralisation of bandits and disruption of attacks, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria.
According to him, these efforts are 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 are being deployed nationwide to safeguard lives and property.
On the economy, Idris pointed to signs of recovery, including improvements in foreign reserves and expanding revenue sources across 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.
He also referenced Nigeria’s recent reclassification as a Frontier Market by FTSE Russell, describing it as a positive signal to global investors. The development, he said, reflects improvements in foreign exchange liquidity, market transparency, and ease of capital repatriation.
‘This development confirms that Nigeria is once again a viable destination for global investment’, he said.
Addressing the media, Idris urged broadcasters to uphold professionalism and avoid promoting narratives that could deepen divisions, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.
‘The airwaves are a public trust. Broadcasting must inform, educate, and unite our people while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and accuracy’, he said.
While reaffirming the government’s commitment to press freedom, the minister called for stronger collaboration between the media and public institutions to combat misinformation and promote unity.
‘Difficult moments like this require stronger faith in our country and a deep sense of patriotism’, he added.
Idris commended BON for its role in promoting ethical standards in broadcasting and expressed confidence that the gathering would produce practical ideas to advance the sector. He also assured Nigerians of continued transparency as the government pursues reforms aimed at improving security and economic growth.
