By Joseph Erunke

The Federal Government on Thursday declared that Nigeria remains the cornerstone of peace, stability, and economic progress in West Africa, dismissing claims that the country is on the brink of collapse as false and misleading.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the assertion at the Voice of Nigeria, VON Forum 2026 in Abuja.

He emphasised Nigeria’s strategic importance to the region’s collective prosperity.

“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 highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing leadership role in the sub-region, noting that for over 50 years, the country has championed peacekeeping operations, mediated political conflicts, and supported democratic transitions across West Africa.

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

He, however, took a swipe at recent narratives portraying Nigeria as unstable, insisting that such claims do not reflect realities on ground.

“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,” Idris stated.

On security, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government has made its largest-ever sectoral allocation of ₦5.41 trillion in the 2026 budget to strengthen military operations, intelligence coordination, and community-based peacebuilding initiatives.

According to him, recent security operations have yielded significant results, including the neutralisation of top terror commanders and the rescue of thousands of kidnapped victims nationwide.

Turning to the economy, Idris said ongoing reforms are beginning to stabilise public finances and boost investor confidence.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms as key drivers of improved fiscal health.

“Inflation has reduced, and global institutions project Nigeria’s economy will grow above the global average in 2026,” he said.

The minister also underscored the critical role of the Voice of Nigeria in shaping the country’s global image and countering misinformation, describing the platform as vital to Nigeria’s public diplomacy efforts.

He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the media, civil society, and international partners to sustain democratic gains and regional stability.

“Sustaining democracy and peace requires collective effort. We must work together to strengthen institutions, promote accurate information, and support regional cooperation,” he said.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional leadership, Idris assured that the country would continue to work closely with global and regional partners to advance peace, security, and development across West Africa.

He commended the Director-General of VON, Jibrin Ndace, for convening the forum, describing it as timely and crucial for addressing issues of regional integration and democratic consolidation.