The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s political appointments, insisting that competence, capacity and the ability to deliver results remain the administration’s primary considerations rather than religious or ethnic affiliations.
Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds or geographical locations, enjoy equal opportunities and a sense of belonging in the country’s governance.
He made the remarks in Abuja while receiving a delegation of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairmen, led by its chairman, Reverend Joseph Hayab.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, the SGF described Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity as a national asset rather than a source of division.
He said the composition of the Federal Executive Council reflected the administration’s commitment to accommodating the country’s diverse interests while prioritising merit, competence and effectiveness in public service.
Akume maintained that the Tinubu administration was guided by the principles of national unity, inclusiveness and equal opportunities, assuring the Christian leaders that no Nigerian would be deliberately excluded from governance because of religious or ethnic identity.
He also pledged continued engagement with religious institutions, describing constructive dialogue between government and faith-based organisations as essential to promoting national cohesion, peace and mutual understanding.
The SGF commended the delegation for seeking stronger collaboration with the Federal Government, noting that the Church had an important role to play in promoting peaceful coexistence and encouraging citizens to contribute to national development.
Tinubu’s economic reforms yielding results – Akume
Speaking on the administration’s economic policies, Akume maintained that President Tinubu’s reforms were beginning to produce positive results in fiscal management, infrastructure, education, healthcare and agriculture.
He cited Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, which he said had risen above $55 billion, as evidence of improving economic conditions.
According to him, the unification of the foreign exchange windows by the Central Bank of Nigeria had strengthened the country’s economic management framework and helped restore investor confidence.
He said the administration was implementing policies aimed at stabilising the economy, attracting investments and creating opportunities for businesses and individuals.
On infrastructure, Akume highlighted ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across the country, particularly in Kaduna and Benue states.
He identified the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway as strategic projects expected to improve transportation, reduce the cost of moving goods and stimulate commercial activities.
The SGF also defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, describing the decision as a necessary measure to free up public resources for development.
He explained that the policy had significantly increased funds available for distribution to state and local governments, giving them greater financial capacity to address infrastructure deficits and other developmental challenges.
Akume urged governors and local government authorities to utilise the increased allocations for projects that would directly improve the living conditions of their residents.
He acknowledged that the reforms had brought difficult adjustments but insisted that they were necessary to establish a sustainable fiscal framework, improve the business environment and promote long-term economic growth.
Education, healthcare and agriculture
On education, Akume highlighted the establishment of additional universities and the introduction of student loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as major interventions aimed at expanding access to tertiary education.
He said the student loan scheme was designed to ensure that financial constraints did not prevent qualified Nigerians from pursuing higher education.
In the healthcare sector, he pointed to government investments in specialised medical centres aimed at strengthening diagnostic services and improving access to treatment.
Akume further disclosed that the Federal Government was working towards opening four million hectares of land for cultivation as part of efforts to improve food production and strengthen national food security.
He added that plans were underway to construct 10 new dams to support irrigation, expand agricultural production and reduce the impact of seasonal farming challenges.
According to him, the initiatives were part of Nigeria’s broader ambition to achieve food sovereignty by 2050.
Northern CAN pledges support for Tinubu administration
Earlier, Reverend Joseph Hayab said the delegation’s visit was aimed at strengthening relations between the Church and the Federal Government.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria to promoting peace, national unity and constructive engagement with the Tinubu administration.
Hayab said the Church was willing to collaborate with the government in communicating its policies and achievements to Nigerians, particularly in addressing misconceptions and misinformation surrounding some government programmes.
He disclosed that Northern CAN leaders intended to use religious celebrations scheduled for December and January to sensitise their members on developments in the country and encourage informed discussions about government policies.
The cleric noted that religious gatherings provided opportunities to reach large numbers of Nigerians and promote awareness of national development initiatives.
He cited improvements in road infrastructure in Kaduna State as an example of government projects that deserved greater public recognition.
However, Hayab called for more opportunities for Christian leaders to engage directly with senior government officials, saying such interactions would enable them to communicate the concerns and aspirations of their members.
He stressed that sustained dialogue was necessary to address grievances, strengthen public confidence and improve relations between the government and citizens.
The Northern CAN chairman urged Akume to continue involving Christian leaders in consultations on matters of national importance.
He also pledged the prayers, solidarity and cooperation of Northern Christian leaders with the Tinubu administration, assuring the Federal Government of the Church’s continued commitment to national development through advocacy, peaceful engagement and constructive partnership.
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