President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across Nigeria, pledging intensified efforts to address the challenge.
The President made this known on Sunday, 22 March 2026, while hosting Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 state governors at his Lagos residence to mark the Eid el-Fitr celebration.
“Your presence here today and the number show your sincerity, commitment and value for friendship and togetherness.
“The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face, and that is the challenge of insecurity in the country,” the president said, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“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.
“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.
“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,’’ he stated.
The President also urged state governors to prioritise the welfare of vulnerable citizens amid rising inflation, linking economic pressures to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and increasing energy costs.
“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 up to ask us to support more due to the effect of the Middle East war and crisis,” Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, said.
He further encouraged the governors to remain committed to implementing policies that directly improve citizens’ livelihoods and to support efforts aimed at addressing criminal activities nationwide.
Tinubu also advised state governments to introduce additional measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel and transportation costs on Nigerians.
Speaking on behalf of the governors, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressed appreciation to the President for his support to subnational governments.
“On behalf of my colleagues, the governors, we bring your excellency season’s greetings from the people of our various states. We thank the Almighty God for His mercies that saw us through the month of Ramadan.
“We pray that the Almighty God will see us through the period of Lent and grant us sustainable peace,” AbdulRazaq said.
The NGF chairman added that governors remain committed to addressing insecurity and are advancing discussions on the establishment of state policing.
“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 governor noted.
Governors present at the meeting included Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Alex Otti(Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).
Others were Abba Yusuf (Kano), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), alongside Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur.
