Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has announced plans to visit the United States to engage policy and institutional stakeholders over what he described as the “alarming deterioration” of Nigeria’s security, governance, and economy.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku said Nigeria is facing a “full-blown internal crisis” that can no longer be ignored or politicised. He cited escalating violence in the North-West, North-East, and Middle Belt, alongside rising cases of kidnapping and criminality nationwide.

According to him, the Nigerian state is gradually losing its ability to fulfil its core responsibility of protecting lives and property, warning that the situation reflects a pattern of systemic failure.

On the economy, Atiku criticised current policies, arguing that defending the naira without addressing productivity, exports, and investor confidence is ineffective. “The naira cannot be defended by force; it must be strengthened by fundamentals,” he said.

The opposition figure also raised concerns over Nigeria’s external reserves, which he said have declined to $48.45 billion as of April 24, alongside a reported ₦5 trillion oil windfall. He warned that such windfalls must not be wasted on recurrent spending or political patronage but should instead be channelled into targeted relief and long-term economic investments.

He called for prioritising domestic refining capacity, critical infrastructure, and policies that boost non-oil exports and restore investor confidence.

Atiku further described the current economic hardship as “severe and avoidable,” citing rising inflation, a weakened currency, and declining purchasing power as major challenges facing Nigerians.

He also expressed concern about weakening democratic institutions, warning that declining trust in governance and the electoral process could threaten national stability. He cautioned against any attempt to undermine transparency in future elections.

Defending his planned international engagement, Atiku dismissed claims that such outreach amounts to inviting foreign interference, stating that Nigeria’s internal challenges have global implications and require constructive engagement with international partners.