By Philomina Attah
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has urged Nigerians not to lose confidence in the country in spite of corruption and insecurity since independence.
Akume spoke on Sunday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
Responding to papers highlighting national “afflictions”, he cautioned against portraying Nigeria as a total failure, citing gains in human capital and education.
“I don’t want us to lose confidence in this country. So much has been put on the ground since independence.
“Today, Nigerian professionals are all over the world. In the U.S. alone, we have over 22,000 medical consultants.
“Should they withdraw their services, the U.S. healthcare system would collapse,” he added.
Describing the bishops as the nation’s “moral conscience”, Akume welcomed criticism but firmly defended government policies on security and the economy.
He disclosed that security reports suggested many armed groups operating in forests across Kwara and Niger states are foreign nationals.
“Many of those arrested do not speak English. They speak very poor Hausa but speak French. We do not speak French in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to Turkey was to procure advanced armaments, including drones, to tackle security threats.
On calls for mandatory electronic transmission of election results, Akume urged “realism”, citing infrastructure deficits nationwide.
“In many places, you cannot operate these machines. The National Assembly’s reasoning is based on insufficient communication and power infrastructure,” he said.
According to him, the government is addressing gaps through projects, including recent power expansion to Katsina-Ala.
The SGF defended the 2025 Tax Act, acknowledging public “uproar” but describing it as a product of thorough legislative scrutiny.
“No human document is perfect. The law remains open to amendment where inefficiencies are proven,” he said.
Akume also highlighted the Student Loan Scheme, revealing that more than N665 billion has been disbursed to support students.
“When we do something good for ourselves, we have to celebrate. This loan scheme is a novelty in Africa,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s view of the Catholic Church as a “strategic partner” in education and healthcare, urging continued prayers and moral support. (NAN)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
