Inflation, Insecurity Remain Major Challenges Despite Reforms — FG

The Federal Government has acknowledged that inflation and insecurity remain major challenges facing Nigerians despite ongoing reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past three years.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the administration was fully aware of the difficulties many citizens continue to face but maintained that recent economic indicators point to gradual improvements.

Akume stated that the government would not claim to have solved all the nation’s problems, noting that inflation and security concerns still affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

“The government, though with all hands on deck, would never claim that every challenge has been solved. While we pursue various reforms diligently, with purpose and compassion, we recognise that inflation has been painful, though it is on a downward trend. The government is similarly conscious of the fact that insecurity still threatens lives and livelihoods,” he said.

The SGF explained that the briefing formed part of activities marking 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance and also served as an accountability exercise by the administration at the midpoint of its first term.

Defending the government’s reform agenda, Akume said economic data suggested that the country was making progress. He cited Gross Domestic Product growth of 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 as signs of recovery.

He also highlighted several intervention programmes, including student loans, conditional cash transfers and consumer credit schemes. According to him, more than one million students have benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, with over N184 billion disbursed for tuition and upkeep.

On security, Akume admitted that significant challenges remain but stressed that efforts were being intensified through increased recruitment, improved funding and stronger collaboration with neighbouring countries and international partners.

“We continue to confront internal security challenges. Government will not pretend that insecurity will disappear today without the active support of all Nigerians,” he said.

The SGF urged citizens to support security agencies through intelligence sharing and vigilance, describing security as a collective responsibility.

He added that the administration would continue to build on its reforms and seek public support in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the government was ready to be judged based on its performance and measurable results.