President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made significant progress in addressing Nigeria’s security and economic challenges through bold reforms, increased security funding and ongoing efforts to establish state police, according to the Convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Hon. Bamidele Atoyebi.

Speaking during an interview with Unfiltered Reporting to mark the administration’s third anniversary, Atoyebi said insecurity in Nigeria could be broadly categorised into terrorism, banditry, political violence and social factors linked to the erosion of community values.

According to him, the government has increased defence spending to its highest level in recent years and is pursuing structural reforms aimed at strengthening local security responses.

“The most important security reform being pursued by the President is the creation of state police. Security is more effective when those protecting communities understand the terrain, the people and the local dynamics,” he said.

Atoyebi also pointed to the planned deployment of forest guards and the decentralisation of security institutions, including police training facilities across different regions, as measures designed to improve intelligence gathering and response capacity.

However, he argued that more attention should be paid to tackling open grazing and strengthening community-based surveillance systems.

“Bandits often operate in remote areas where they know the terrain better than security operatives. There is a need for stronger local intelligence and greater involvement of communities in identifying suspicious activities,” he said.

Asked which of the administration’s security initiatives had the greatest impact on ordinary Nigerians, Atoyebi highlighted efforts to improve the welfare of security personnel, noting that better-equipped and motivated officers were essential to combating insecurity effectively.

On the recent wave of kidnappings and attacks in states such as Oyo, Kwara and Borno, Atoyebi said state governments must take greater responsibility for protecting their citizens rather than relying solely on the Federal Government.

He criticised the handling of security challenges in Oyo and Kwara states, arguing that governors and local governments should make more effective use of available resources to strengthen local security architecture.

“In many communities, residents have raised concerns about security threats for years. State and local governments must be proactive and invest more in security infrastructure, intelligence gathering and local response mechanisms,” he said.

Atoyebi suggested that some large local government areas should be subdivided into smaller administrative units to improve governance and security coordination.

He also advocated proper documentation of residents and newcomers in communities, arguing that such measures would aid intelligence gathering and crime prevention.

While expressing dissatisfaction with the response of some state governments, he commended the efforts of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in confronting insurgency challenges in the North-East.

“Governor Zulum has consistently demonstrated commitment through interventions and investments in security.

Although more still needs to be done, his administration has shown visible efforts in addressing the threat of insurgency,” he said.

Turning to the economy, Atoyebi defended the administration’s removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange controls, describing them as difficult but necessary reforms.

According to him, the policies have improved Nigeria’s standing among international financial institutions and investors.

“What President Tinubu has done requires courage, vision and a long-term understanding of economic realities. The removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange distortions was necessary to put the economy on a sustainable path,” he said.

He argued that previous administrations postponed difficult economic decisions, adding that subsidy payments had become financially unsustainable.

Atoyebi further cited positive assessments from international financial institutions and rating agencies as evidence that the country’s economic reforms were beginning to gain global recognition.

While acknowledging that many Nigerians were still experiencing economic hardship, he maintained that the benefits of the reforms would become more visible over time.

“The reforms are laying the foundation for long-term economic stability. These changes may not produce immediate results but they are necessary if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable growth,” he said.

He also called on state governments to complement federal initiatives through targeted social and economic programmes capable of delivering direct benefits to citizens.

Atoyebi said BAT-IG had continued to support policy implementation through advocacy and community development interventions across various states including healthcare and infrastructure projects.

“As citizens and stakeholders, we must continue to identify gaps, provide constructive suggestions and support policies that promote national development,” he added.