The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has disclosed that the prevailing financial challenges in the country are a direct consequence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration inheriting an empty treasury a few months ago.
Speaking at the Chief of Defence Intelligence Annual Conference 2023 in Abuja on Monday, Ribadu acknowledged the severe budgetary constraints affecting the nation but assured the public of the federal government’s dedication to maintaining a robust defense management and mechanism.
In his address, “I assure you that the federal government will not rest on its oars in ensuring a robust and viable defence management and security apparatus to address contemporary challenges even in the face of enormous budgetary constraints.
“Yes, we’re facing budgetary constraints. It is okay for me to tell you. Fine, it is important for you to know that we have inherited a very difficult situation, literally a bankrupt country, no money, to a point where we can say that all the money we’re getting now; we’re paying back what was taken. It is serious!”
Despite the financial challenges, Ribadu commended the armed forces for their commitment to addressing security challenges within and outside Nigeria.
He emphasized the administration’s efforts to meet the requirements of the armed forces amid budgetary constraints and expressed confidence in positive changes.
“Let us come together as one and continue to support our armed forces and other security agencies with this work of securing our country for peace and stability.
“They have done an amazingly good job without talking and I believe that with the support and the resolve of the leadership we have today in our country, things will only be better.
“We are just four or five months old, but certainly things have changed and we believe that what they are doing, they are doing it right. We want to encourage them, stand by them and support them 100 percent and hopefully, this country will be okay in a short time,” he added.
Ribadu pointed to recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea, characterizing them as sudden reversals of democratic fortunes.
He stressed the significance of defense diplomacy in pursuing strategic engagements with allies and partners to achieve national security objectives.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye, affirmed the agency’s commitment to harnessing the capabilities of the defense attaché system for national security objectives.
Key figures, including the Minister of Defence, Minister of State, and other high-ranking officials in the Defense Ministry, attended the conference.