Nigeria’s stability critical to West Africa’s peace, prosperity – Information Minister

“Nigeria’s stability and progress are closely tied to West Africa’s stability. A peaceful and democratic region creates opportunities for growth, investment, and shared prosperity,” the Minister said.

Idris noted that for over five decades, Nigeria has played a leading role in promoting peace, democratic governance, and regional integration across West Africa. He said the country’s contributions, including peacekeeping missions, mediation efforts, and support for democratic transitions, reflect its long-standing commitment to regional stability. 

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“From peacekeeping missions to mediation efforts, Nigeria has consistently demonstrated leadership in advancing peace and cooperation across the sub-region,” he added.

The Minister also addressed recent narratives suggesting that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, saying the claim is false and misleading. 

He stressed that current realities show a country making steady progress in security and economic reforms. “We must reject the false narrative that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse. This does not reflect the realities of governance, security management, and ongoing reforms. Nigeria remains stable and is moving forward,” he said.

On security, Idris highlighted the Federal Government’s strong commitment, backed by significant investment and operational results. He disclosed that the 2026 budget allocates ₦5.41 trillion to security, the highest sectoral allocation, to strengthen military capacity, intelligence coordination, and community-based peacebuilding. He added that recent operations have led to the neutralisation of top terror commanders and the rescue of thousands of kidnapped victims across the country.

Speaking on the economy, the Minister said ongoing reforms are yielding positive results, with improved fiscal stability and stronger growth projections. “Fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms are stabilising public finances. Inflation has reduced, and global institutions project Nigeria’s economy will grow above the global average in 2026,” he noted.

Idris further emphasised the role of the Voice of Nigeria in promoting Nigeria’s image and strengthening public diplomacy across the region and beyond. He said VON remains a key platform for countering misinformation and projecting Nigeria’s contributions to peace and development.

He called for stronger collaboration among the government, media, civil society, and international partners to sustain democracy and regional stability. “Sustaining democracy and peace requires collective effort. We must work together to strengthen institutions, promote accurate information, and support regional cooperation,” the Minister said.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to working with regional and global partners to ensure that Nigeria continues to play its leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across West Africa.

The Minister commended the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, and his team for organising the Forum, describing it as a timely platform for dialogue on regional peace, democracy, and development.

He expressed confidence that the Forum would generate practical solutions to strengthen Nigeria's role in regional integration and global engagement.

Those in attendance were: Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, PhD, CON; Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Royal Father of the Day, HRH, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR Etsu Nupe; Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, and other highly placed dignitaries.