National Security and Economy Stable and Open- Edun
By Patience Ikpeme
Following the high-stakes security operation in Sokoto, the Federal Government has declared that Nigeria remains an oasis of stability and a premier destination for global capital.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, issued a statement on Sunday, seeking to calm international markets and multilateral partners.
He dismissed concerns that recent security activities signaled internal instability, clarifying that the nation is not at war but is instead winning a decisive battle against global terror.
The Minister’s declaration comes in the wake of a joint, intelligence-led operation by Nigerian and U.S. forces in Sokoto on Christmas Day, 2025.
Addressing the global investment community, Edun explained that the action was a surgical strike against specific terrorist elements rather than a sign of broader national unrest.
“What Nigeria is decisively confronting—alongside trusted international partners—is terrorism,” Edun said. “This distinction is important, and it is fundamental to understanding the positive economic implications of recent actions.”
He noted that the precision-led mission focused exclusively on elements threatening national stability and economic activity. Rather than deterring investors, he argued that such operations actually fortify the environment necessary for business to thrive. “Security and economic stability are inseparable; every effort to safeguard Nigerians is, by definition, pro-growth and pro-investment,” the Minister stated.
Backing his claims with data, the Finance Minister pointed to the resilience of the Nigerian economy under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He cited the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) figures showing a GDP growth of 3.98% in the third quarter of 2025, a performance following the 4.23% expansion recorded in Q2.
Economic analysts are now looking toward an even stronger fourth-quarter performance. Perhaps more strikingly, inflation has decelerated for the seventh consecutive period, now resting below the 15% mark—a significant drop from the highs recorded in previous years.
“Our financial markets remain resilient,” Edun said. “Domestic and international debt markets are stable and functioning efficiently, supported by prudent fiscal management.”
The Minister also shared the independent endorsements of the global “Big Three” rating agencies. Over the past year, Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s have all provided credit rating upgrades for Nigeria.
These shifts from agencies like S&P—which revised Nigeria’s outlook to positive in November 2025—serve as external validation of the country’s fiscal discipline and reform credibility.
As markets prepare to reopen on Monday, December 29, 2025, the government’s focus is squarely on the future. President Tinubu had previously indicated that the primary goal for 2026 is the consolidation of these hard-won gains to build a more inclusive economy.
Edun assured that the current policy direction is clear and the resolve to protect prosperity remains unwavering. He described the current phase as a transition from reform to measurable delivery.
“Investors can be confident that Nigeria remains focused, reform-driven, and committed to stability,” he noted. “The fundamentals are strengthening, the policy direction is clear, and the resolve of this administration—to protect lives, secure prosperity, and grow the economy—is unwavering. Nigeria remains open for business, anchored in peace, and firmly focused on the future.”
