The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has strongly rejected narratives suggesting that Nigeria is on the verge of collapse, describing such claims as “utterly false” and inconsistent with the nation’s current economic and security trajectory.
Speaking as the chief host of the 2026 Voice of Nigeria (VON) Forum themed “51 Years of Nigeria’s Role in Deepening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS” the Minister called for a “deeper reflection” among citizens and critics who project a negative image of the country to the international community.
Economic Recovery and Growth
Addressing the nation’s economic indicators, Idris highlighted a significant turnaround resulting from recent reforms. He noted that the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange adjustments have stabilized public finances.
”Inflation has eased from about 30% in 2024 to around 15% by the end of 2025,” Idris stated. “This is not a story of a country that is about to collapse.”
The Minister further revealed that:
Foreign Reserves: For the first time in 13 years, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have exceeded $50 billion.
GDP Growth: The nation’s GDP growth has surpassed 4%, outperforming previous projections of 3.15%.
Investment: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is steadily increasing, signaling renewed international confidence.
Security Milestones
On the security front, the Minister underscored the government’s commitment through the 2026 budget, which allocates ₦5.41 trillion to the security sector the largest single sectoral provision in the nation’s history.
Idris detailed the tangible results of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “security reset,” which emphasizes unified command and intelligence coordination:
Hostage Rescues: In 2025, the Armed Forces rescued over 2,000 kidnapped hostages.
Operation Results: Under Operation Do Not Waste a Door, troops arrested 616 suspects and rescued nearly 1,000 individuals.
International Cooperation: The Minister cited successful joint Nigeria-United States precision airstrikes against ISIS enclaves in Sokoto.
Regional Leadership and Public Diplomacy
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s pivotal role in West Africa, noting that the country’s stability is intrinsically linked to that of the sub-region. As a leader within ECOWAS, Nigeria is currently championing an initiative to raise $2.5 billion annually for a 260,000-strong regional counter-terrorism brigade.
Idris lauded the Voice of Nigeria (VON) for its evolution since 1961 into a vital tool for public diplomacy, broadcasting in multiple languages to counter misinformation and project Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as food inflation and lingering security threats, the Minister emphasized that the government cannot succeed alone. He urged the media, private sector, and civil society to partner with the administration to sustain democracy.
”You cannot have a country that is about to collapse and you are there planning on how to live within it,” Idris remarked, addressing those peddling negative rhetoric. “Nigeria remains stable, functional, and firmly on the path of recovery and growth.”
