Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinibu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Bamidele Atoyebi, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s response to concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria over the country’s economic and security situation, arguing that the President was justified in stating that Nigeria’s economy is improving and urging Nigerians to shift from persistent criticism to offering practical solutions to national challenges.

In an analysis titled, The President With Solutions Not Problems Analysis, Atoyebi said the recent exchange between President Tinubu and the Catholic bishops underscored the need for stakeholders, including religious institutions, civil society organisations and citizens, to move beyond highlighting problems and begin proposing actionable solutions.

According to him, while the bishops expressed concerns over rising hardship and insecurity, the President maintained that key macroeconomic indicators show the country has stabilised and that ongoing reforms have rescued the economy from the brink of collapse.

Atoyebi argued that available economic indicators and assessments by international institutions support the administration’s position. He cited organisations including Standard & Poor’s, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank as recognising Nigeria’s structural reforms as laying the foundation for long-term economic recovery.

He attributed the reported progress to policies such as the unification of the foreign exchange market and the removal of fuel subsidies, saying the reforms helped avert fiscal instability and created a more sustainable economic outlook.

The political analyst also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the administration’s interventions aimed at expanding access to higher education by removing financial barriers for students. 

He further argued that the restoration of a stable academic calendar across public universities has reduced disruptions caused by prolonged industrial actions.

On security, Atoyebi maintained that increased government spending on defence has strengthened the country’s fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality.

He compared defence allocations under successive administrations, stating that defence budgets increased from between ₦920 billion and ₦1 trillion during the Goodluck Jonathan administration (2010–2015), to between ₦1 trillion and ₦2.9 trillion under former President Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023), before rising to between ₦3.85 trillion and ₦6.57 trillion under the current administration.

To support his position, he referenced several recent security operations.

He cited the June 1, 2026 arrest of an alleged arms courier, Abubakar Muhammad, in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State by the Department of State Services (DSS), during which security operatives reportedly recovered three AK-47 rifles and loaded magazines.

He also referred to joint military operations involving Nigerian and United States forces at the beginning of June, which he said resulted in the elimination of about 200 fighters linked to the Islamic State.

According to Atoyebi, security agencies also recorded successes in Kogi State, where a hostage rescue operation on June 7 secured the release of abducted victims, and in Enugu State, where troops arrested suspected kidnappers and reportedly recovered ransom previously collected from victims.

He further highlighted military operations conducted between July 10 and July 31 under Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State, saying troops rescued 117 kidnapped victims, dismantled a major terrorist logistics base in Yaganari, recovered weapons and arrested a suspected logistics supplier identified as Mohammed Goni.

The analyst added that troops of the 12 Brigade also foiled an attempted abduction of pupils at Iluke Primary School in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on June 10, while another operation in Konduga, Borno State, on June 15 reportedly led to the neutralisation of an ISWAP fighter and the recovery of logistics without military casualties.

Atoyebi argued that discussions around state policing and the establishment of forest guards demonstrate efforts to address security gaps, noting that although isolated security incidents still occur, recent operational gains outweigh previous periods of stagnation.

He stressed that solving Nigeria’s challenges requires collective participation rather than criticism alone.

According to him, the Tinubu administration has shown a willingness to engage stakeholders who present structured policy proposals capable of addressing national problems.

As examples, he claimed that the Federal Government acted on recommendations by traditional rulers to improve the implementation of conditional cash transfer programmes in rural communities.

He also cited a visit by the Olubadan, during which the monarch reportedly thanked the President over the rescue of kidnapping victims in Orire and requested permanent security outposts along strategic forest corridors, a request Atoyebi said was subsequently implemented.

The BAT Ideological Group convener further urged religious organisations to complement government efforts by developing structured social intervention programmes for vulnerable Nigerians.

He referenced the “Kingdom Care” initiative of Living Faith Church as an example of a faith-based welfare programme that could be replicated by other religious organisations, arguing that institutions already investing in community support would be in a stronger position to seek government partnership where additional resources are required.

He concluded that national development should not rest solely on the Federal Government but should involve collaboration among governments at all levels, faith-based organisations, traditional institutions, civil society and citizens.

According to Atoyebi, Nigeria’s structural reforms are beginning to yield results, and the country’s development would accelerate if stakeholders replace “the endless cycle of complaint” with constructive engagement and practical solutions.