Tinubu: Securing Nigerians’ lives non-negotiable to economic growth

President Bola Tinubu has said securing the lives and property of Nigerians remains non-negotiable to achieving the country’s economic ambitions and sustainable prosperity.

Tinubu said national security was the foundation for business expansion, investment and economic development, adding that his administration was committed to strengthening the armed forces and security agencies to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, piracy and other forms of organised crime.

The president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, spoke on Friday in Abuja at the graduation ceremony of participants of the National Defence College Course 34.

“Our economic ambitions accompany the duty to secure our people. The Armed Forces and security agencies continue to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, piracy and organised criminality with courage and professionalism,” he said.

Tinubu said the government would continue to provide the security agencies with equipment, training, resources and institutional support to enable them discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

“Peace creates room for enterprise, and enterprise enlarges the citizen’s stake in peace. When communities recover security, opportunity must follow, because stability grows where people can work, trade, learn and hope,” he added.

The president linked Nigeria’s security and economic prospects to broader developments across Africa, saying the continent’s security would increasingly depend on productive economies capable of creating jobs for its growing youth population.

He said, “Africa’s security will increasingly depend on productive economies, regional value chains, innovation, and industries capable of employing its young population.”