The Federal Government has dismissed claims that Nigeria is on the verge of collapse, insisting the country remains a key pillar of peace, stability, and economic progress in West Africa.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known at the Voice of Nigeria Forum 2026 in Abuja, where he reaffirmed Nigeria’s strategic importance to the region.

“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,” he said.

Idris highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role over the past five decades, noting its involvement in peacekeeping missions, mediation of political conflicts, and support for democratic transitions across the sub-region.

He rejected recent narratives portraying the country as unstable, describing them as false and misleading. “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,” he stated.

On security, the minister revealed that the government has allocated ₦5.41 trillion—the largest sectoral allocation—to strengthen military operations, intelligence coordination, and community-based peacebuilding initiatives in the 2026 budget. He added that ongoing operations have led to the neutralisation of top terror commanders and the rescue of thousands of kidnapped victims.

Addressing the economy, Idris said reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange adjustments are beginning to stabilise public finances and improve investor confidence. He noted that inflation is easing and that global institutions project Nigeria’s economy will grow above the global average in 2026.

The minister also underscored the role of Voice of Nigeria in shaping the country’s global image and countering misinformation, describing it as central 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.

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