Abuja: The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has urged Nigerians not to lose confidence in the country in spite of corruption and insecurity since independence. Akume spoke on Sunday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria. Responding to papers highlighting national ‘afflictions’, he cautioned against portraying Nigeria as a total failure, citing gains in human capital and education.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Akume emphasized the significant contributions of Nigerian professionals globally, particularly in the medical field. He noted that Nigerian professionals are widespread, with over 22,000 medical consultants in the U.S. alone, asserting that their withdrawal would severely impact the U.S. healthcare system.
Addressing the bishops as the nation’s ‘moral conscience’, Akume welcomed criticism but defended government policies on security and the economy. He revealed that security reports indicated many armed groups in Kwara and Niger states consist of foreign nationals, noting language barriers as evidence. He mentioned President Bola Tinubu’s recent trip to Turkey aimed at procuring advanced armaments to combat security threats.
On the topic of electronic transmission of election results, Akume called for ‘realism’, pointing out infrastructure challenges. He explained that the National Assembly’s stance is influenced by insufficient communication and power infrastructure, with ongoing government efforts to address these deficits through projects like the recent power expansion to Katsina-Ala.
Akume defended the 2025 Tax Act amidst public ‘uproar’, stating it underwent thorough legislative scrutiny and remains open to amendment if inefficiencies are proven. He also highlighted the Student Loan Scheme, reporting over N665 billion disbursed to support students and described it as a significant achievement for Africa.