From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has insisted that appointments into the administration of President Bola Tinubu are based on competence, capacity and the ability to deliver results, rather than religious or ethnic considerations.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, stated this on Friday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairmen, led by its chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab.
Akume said the Tinubu administration remained committed to promoting national unity, inclusive governance and equal opportunities for all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations.
He maintained that every citizen must have a sense of belonging and the opportunity to contribute to national development, adding that the government recognised Nigeria’s diversity as a strength.
According to him, competence, capacity and the ability to deliver results remain the guiding principles in appointments and governance.
The SGF cited the religious and ethnic composition of the Federal Executive Council as evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, insisting that the government was determined to ensure that Nigerians felt represented and valued in the affairs of the country.
He also underscored the importance of sustained engagement with religious institutions, describing constructive interaction with the Church as necessary for promoting national cohesion, peace and mutual understanding.
Akume commended the Northern CAN delegation for the visit and reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining dialogue with Christian leaders on issues affecting the country.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the SGF to outline some of the economic reforms and strategic interventions of the Tinubu administration, particularly in infrastructure, the financial sector, education, healthcare and agriculture.
On infrastructure, he highlighted ongoing road projects across the country, including those in Kaduna and Benue states, as well as the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Sokoto-Badagry corridors.
He said the projects were expected to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and stimulate economic activities by strengthening transportation links between communities and commercial centres.
On the financial sector, Akume disclosed that Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves had risen to more than $55 billion, while identifying the unification of the foreign exchange windows by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a major policy measure aimed at stabilising the economy and strengthening investor confidence.
In education, he highlighted the establishment of additional universities and the introduction of student loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial support to eligible students pursuing higher education.
He also pointed to the development of specialised health centres to improve diagnostic services and strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
On agriculture, the SGF said the Federal Government was pursuing plans to unlock four million hectares of land for agricultural production and construct 10 new dams as part of efforts to increase food production, strengthen food security and achieve food sovereignty by 2050.
Akume also defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying the policy had created fiscal space for increased financial allocations to state and local governments.
He explained that the reform was intended to improve the business environment, promote economic growth and enable governments at all levels to channel more resources towards development priorities.
The SGF maintained that the administration remained focused on implementing reforms aimed at economic recovery, social inclusion and national development, while strengthening the collective responsibility of Nigerians in building a united country.
Earlier, Hayab said the delegation’s visit was aimed at strengthening engagement with the Federal Government and reaffirming the Church’s commitment to partnering with the government in promoting national development, peace and unity.
He pledged the prayers, support and solidarity of Christian leaders for the Tinubu administration, expressing the Church’s willingness to contribute to the country’s development through constructive engagement and advocacy.
Hayab also offered to assist the government in communicating its policies and achievements to Nigerians, particularly in addressing misconceptions, scepticism and misinformation surrounding its programmes.
He disclosed that the Church intended to use the forthcoming religious celebrations in December and January to sensitise its members on national progress and encourage constructive engagement with the government.
The CAN leader cited improvements in the road network in Kaduna State as an example of the administration’s achievements that could be brought to the attention of Nigerians.
He said the Church was prepared to help its members understand government policies and interventions, while encouraging informed discussions about national development.
However, Hayab stressed the need for sustained engagement between the government and religious leaders, particularly to ensure that the concerns, challenges and aspirations of citizens were conveyed directly to those in authority. He urged Akume to continue providing opportunities for Christian leaders to interact with government officials and contribute to policy discussions.
The CAN chairman assured the SGF that the Church would remain available to support national development through prayers, advocacy and constructive partnership, adding that religious institutions had an important role to play in promoting peace, unity and mutual understanding.
