President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that Nigeria will soon overcome its security challenges, especially in the northern part of the country, saying his administration has intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace nationwide.
The President gave the assurance on Saturday in Kaduna at the Third Late General Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference. He was represented by his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the late General Hassan Usman Katsina, describing him as a disciplined, patriotic and selfless leader whose contributions to national unity and public service remain worthy of emulation.
He noted that the former military governor of the defunct Northern Region and former Chief of Army Staff played a significant role in strengthening the country’s unity during challenging periods, adding that his leadership helped shape the democratic values Nigerians enjoy today.
The President reaffirmed his government’s resolve to tackle insecurity across the country, expressing optimism that the situation, particularly in Northern Nigeria, would soon improve.
“As we continue working tirelessly to secure the country, by the grace of Allah, the insecurity challenges confronting us, especially in Northern Nigeria, will soon become a thing of the past,” he said.
Tinubu also highlighted several achievements of his administration across critical sectors, including education, infrastructure, transportation and energy.
In the education sector, he said over one million students have benefited from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), enabling greater access to tertiary education through financial assistance.
He added that removing tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has strengthened university autonomy and contributed to industrial harmony in public higher institutions.
According to the President, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has continued to finance the construction of classrooms, laboratories, hostels and research facilities across the country. He also noted that government has introduced a new national curriculum, expanded teacher training and increased investment in technical and vocational education, alongside establishing new federal universities and polytechnics.
On infrastructure, Tinubu said work is progressing on several major road projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, the Sokoto–Zamfara–Kaduna Road and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road, aimed at improving transportation and stimulating economic growth.
Speaking on the power sector, the President said projects such as the Kaduna Power Station, the 40-megawatt Kumbotso High Voltage Power Project and the rehabilitation of the 215-megawatt Kaduna Power Plant are advancing.
He also disclosed that the Federal Government is expanding renewable energy through the installation of more than 1,500 solar-powered streetlights and 50 mini-grids in rural communities.
Tinubu announced that the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna has been upgraded to a university named after General Hassan Usman Katsina. He said the institution is over 90 per cent completed and has already commenced academic activities.
He further revealed that construction of the 1,350-megawatt Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant is ongoing to boost electricity supply across Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, while additional renewable energy projects are being implemented for off-grid communities.
In the transport sector, the President said work is steadily progressing on the Kaduna–Kano Rail Line and the Kano–Maradi Rail Project. He added that funding has also been secured for the Kaduna and Kano Light Rail projects, while rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro Rail and the upgrade of the Abuja–Kaduna rail service are underway.
Tinubu said the projects demonstrate his administration’s commitment to strengthening security, driving economic growth and improving the living standards of Nigerians through sustainable national development.
