Religion, Tribe Not Criteria For Appointments Under Tinubu — Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has declared that competence, capacity and the ability to deliver results, rather than religious or ethnic considerations, remain the guiding principles for appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akume said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds, enjoy equal opportunities and a sense of belonging in the country’s governance.

The SGF stated this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairmen, led by Rev. Joseph Hayab.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Akume maintained that the Tinubu administration was determined to build a united and prosperous Nigeria where every citizen could contribute meaningfully to national development.

He cited the religious and ethnic composition of the Federal Executive Council as evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity remained a source of strength rather than division.

The SGF assured the Christian leaders that the government would continue to promote policies that foster national unity, mutual respect and equal representation across religious and ethnic divides.

Akume also commended the delegation for seeking constructive engagement with the Federal Government, describing sustained dialogue between government and religious institutions as essential to national cohesion, peace and mutual understanding.

He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining open channels of communication with Church leaders to address concerns affecting Nigerians and strengthen cooperation towards national development.

Speaking on the administration’s achievements, the SGF said that ongoing economic reforms and strategic interventions were designed to strengthen the economy, improve infrastructure, and enhance citizens’ welfare.

He highlighted improvements in the national road network, including projects in Kaduna and Benue states, as well as the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Sokoto-Badagry corridors, which he said would enhance connectivity, facilitate trade, and stimulate economic activity.

On the economy, Akume disclosed that Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves had reportedly risen above $55 billion, while the unification of foreign exchange windows by the Central Bank of Nigeria was helping to stabilise the economy and strengthen investor confidence.

He also defended the removal of the fuel subsidy, explaining that the policy had created additional fiscal space for increased financial transfers to state and local governments.

According to him, the reform was intended to improve the business environment, stimulate economic growth and enable governments at all levels to channel more resources towards development priorities.

In the education and health sectors, Akume highlighted the establishment of additional universities, the provision of student loans through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and the development of specialised health centres to improve diagnostic services and healthcare delivery.

He further disclosed that the Federal Government was pursuing plans to unlock four million hectares of land for agricultural production and construct 10 new dams to boost food production and strengthen food security.

The SGF said the initiatives formed part of the administration’s broader objective of achieving food sovereignty by 2050.

He reiterated that the government would continue implementing reforms aimed at economic recovery, social inclusion and sustainable national development.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Northern CAN Chairmen, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the delegation’s visit was intended to strengthen engagement with the Federal Government and reaffirm the Church’s commitment to promoting national development, peace and unity.

Hayab pledged the Church’s prayers, support and solidarity with the Tinubu administration, assuring the SGF of the willingness of Christian leaders to collaborate with government on issues of national importance.

He also expressed the Church’s readiness to assist the government in communicating its achievements to Nigerians, particularly in addressing misconceptions, scepticism and misinformation surrounding its policies and programmes.

According to him, the Church intends to use the forthcoming religious celebrations in December and January to sensitise members on national progress and encourage constructive engagement with government.

Hayab cited improvements in the road network in Kaduna State as an example of infrastructure development that deserved greater public awareness.

He, however, called for sustained engagement and greater access to government leadership so that religious leaders could communicate citizens’ concerns, challenges, and aspirations directly.

The cleric urged Akume to continue seeking the support and collaboration of Church leaders, assuring him of their commitment to contributing to national development through prayers, advocacy and constructive partnership with government.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has warned promoters of the Renewed Hope Electric Transportation Initiative (RHETI) against raising Nigerians’ expectations with promises of affordable electric mass transit without putting in place practical measures to deliver the project.

Akume said good intentions alone would not guarantee the success of the proposed initiative, insisting that issues of electricity supply, maintenance, safety and affordable fares must be adequately addressed before the Federal Government could consider granting final approval.

He spoke on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with the promoters of the initiative, a private-sector-driven proposal to introduce affordable electric mass transit across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

In a statement by his spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, the SGF said that although the Federal Government welcomed the proposal, the promoters must demonstrate that their plans could translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians, particularly commuters struggling with rising transportation costs.

“Good intentions do not move buses. Electricity moves them. Maintenance keeps them on the road. Sound management keeps fares within reach and passengers safe,” he said.

Akume explained that the proposal, submitted to his office through a letter dated 16 September and signed by the initiative’s convener, Dr Madisca Achile, attracted the government’s attention because the promoters were not requesting financial support from the Federal Government.

He said the promoters had offered to provide the capital for the project while seeking government endorsement, coordination and an enabling environment for its implementation.

“In this building we receive a great many proposals, and most of them, sooner or later, find their way to the same address: the federal budget. This one is different.

“Dr Achile, you have said that you did not come here with a begging bowl, and I take you at your word. You are telling government: we will bring the capital; give us your blessing, your coordination and the right environment, and let the results speak for themselves,” Akume said.

He described the proposal as consistent with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which encourages private-sector participation in addressing national development challenges.

However, the SGF said the promoters must provide clear answers on electricity supply, charging infrastructure, operational standards, passenger safety, and the mechanisms to ensure that fares remain affordable.

He also emphasised the need for collaboration with state governments whose cities would host the proposed pilot routes.

“These are not obstacles. They are the foundations on which the whole project will stand or fall,” he stated.
Akume identified four major benefits the initiative could deliver if successfully implemented, including reduced transportation costs, support for Nigeria’s energy transition, job creation and equitable access across the six geopolitical zones.

On the cost of living, he said cheaper fares would enable families to save more money for food, school fees and rent, particularly those who spend a substantial portion of their income on daily transportation.

He added that the initiative would complement the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.

On employment, Akume said the project could create opportunities for drivers, technicians and charging-station operators, while opening up possibilities for local assembly and the manufacture of electric vehicle components.

He disclosed that the promoters were already working with the National Directorate of Employment to train young Nigerians in electric-vehicle repair and maintenance.

The SGF welcomed the promoters’ proposal to begin with one pilot route in a city in each geopolitical zone before expanding the scheme based on performance.

He also requested regular reports detailing jobs created, kilometres covered and savings made by commuters.

Akume said his office would facilitate engagement between the promoters and relevant government institutions, including the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Power, and Finance; the Presidential CNG Initiative; and the National Automotive Design and Development Council.

He disclosed that a team from the Office of the SGF, working under the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, had been constituted to work closely with the promoters.

The team, he said, would help develop an implementable framework that includes the proposed pilot cities, deliverables, timelines, funding model, and measurable outcomes.

Akume, however, clarified that the government’s endorsement of the proposal was not yet final approval, explaining that the framework would guide further consideration of the initiative.

He expressed hope that the project would eventually ease the transportation burden on Nigerians, particularly low-income earners.

“If, some months from now, she steps onto a clean, quiet and affordable bus, and arrives at work with money still in her purse, then together we will have done something worthwhile. That is what Renewed Hope looks like on our streets,” he said, referring to a nurse he had earlier used to illustrate the daily transportation challenges facing Nigerians.
Earlier, Achile said the initiative was conceived to address the high cost of transportation and contribute to the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce poverty.
He said the proposal was designed to add value to the Tinubu administration’s development agenda without requiring financial contributions from the Federal Government.
“The SGF said he would support anything that would reduce poverty in the country. That is why I came up with this idea to bring electric vehicles that would ease mass transportation at an equally affordable rate throughout the federation.

“We are here to add value to the agenda of Mr President, and we are doing this without asking a kobo from the Federal Government. We are here just to get approval, and this is a way out to contribute to mass transit in the country and the reduction of the cost of transportation,” Achile said.