Insecurity, Inflation: Tinubu Rallies Govs, Seeks Global Support After UK Talks

President Bola Tinubu says his administration will not allow insecurity to overshadow ongoing efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians, declaring that fresh momentum is being deployed to confront threats to national stability.

Speaking on Sunday in Lagos while hosting Vice-President Kashim Shettima and 23 governors at his residence for Eid el-Fitr, the president said the challenge of insecurity remains central to his government’s next phase of action.

“The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face, and that is the challenge of insecurity in the country,” Tinubu disclosed, adding “I am making all the efforts to ensure that we collectively share the joy of our victory over tyranny. Insecurity is an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity. I am glad you are all mindful of the challenge.”

The president said discussions during his recent visit to the United Kingdom focused significantly on security collaboration, particularly in the area of equipment and support, noting that engagements are already yielding results.

“For me, I have committed to strengthening further the contacts and networks that are necessary. One of the major discussions in the United Kingdom was on equipment and support,” he reaffirms, providing more clarity with “I can report to you that yesterday, again, I had a lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. They are collaborating with us for equipment and support. I am also making frantic efforts to contact other nations.”

Tinubu, who returned on Friday from a three-day state visit to the UK where he met with King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, also raised concerns about the economic implications of the Middle East crisis, warning that it could worsen inflation and reduce purchasing power.

“We should care more for the vulnerable. I know this Middle East crisis will spike inflation and affect our purchasing power. The labour union and others will be gearing to ask us to support more due to the effect of the Middle East war and crisis,” the President pointed out.

He urged governors to take proactive steps to cushion the impact of rising energy and transportation costs, while also calling for sustained collaboration in tackling criminality across the country.

The president also commended Shettima for his condolence visit to Borno state, assuring residents of enhanced protection through the deployment of modern technology.

In his remarks, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), thanked the president for what he described as interventions driven by the Renewed Hope Agenda and congratulated him on the outcome of the UK visit.

“While our mission has been to have a good relationship with the United Kingdom, the State Visit, first in 37 years, is bold and significant. It speaks to new levels of relationship with Nigeria, and we thank you for it,” AbdulRazaq said.

He added that governors are aligning with federal efforts to address insecurity, including ongoing discussions around the creation of state police.

“Together, we must see that the issue of insecurity comes to an end. Regarding state police, discussions are ongoing with various security agencies led by the National Security Adviser, and the NGF has made its contributions. The NGF will take the document to the National Assembly to see how we can have a legislative framework for the state police,” the NGF chairman assured.