- Nigeria Making Progress Despite Challenges, SGF Assures Church Leaders
- Akume described insecurity as a global phenomenon
- On anti-corruption efforts, Akume cited asset recoveries and prosecutions as evidence of government action, maintaining that authorities were not idle in the fight against graft
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has urged Catholic leaders not to lose faith in Nigeria despite persistent concerns over insecurity, corruption and economic hardship.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Akume made the appeal while addressing the opening session of the 2026 First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Abuja.
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Responding to issues raised by church leaders, including insecurity, electronic transmission of election results, tax reforms and rising living costs, the SGF acknowledged the challenges but insisted that progress was being made.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, he noted that corruption had frequently been cited as justification for past military coups, but questioned whether the problem was limited to the public sector.
On insecurity, Akume described the issue as a global phenomenon, stating that the Federal Government had intensified efforts through recruitment of additional police officers and acquisition of military hardware, including drones.
He also addressed concerns about electronic transmission of election results, attributing past shortcomings to infrastructural gaps in communication and power supply, while assuring that efforts were underway to improve the system.
Defending the student loan initiative, he described it as a landmark policy designed to expand access to higher education, revealing that over ₦665 billion had been disbursed.
On anti-corruption efforts, Akume cited asset recoveries and prosecutions as evidence of government action, maintaining that authorities were not idle in the fight against graft.
He described the Church as “the moral conscience of the nation” and welcomed constructive criticism, stressing that democracy requires accountability and partnership between institutions.
Akume concluded by urging national unity, saying Nigeria’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division, and that leadership must always be exercised in service of the common good.
