Tinubu on the Economy, Shettima on Security — Nigerians Still Waiting for Results

Two years into President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the promise made by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to take charge of Nigeria’s security has failed to materialise, as militia violence, insurgent attacks, and mass abductions continue to ravage large parts of the country.

In a 2022 campaign promise widely circulated in the media, Shettima declared that if elected, Tinubu would focus on reviving the economy, while he, drawing on his experience as former governor of Borno State, would be responsible for addressing Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.

I will handle security while Tinubu handles the economy,” Shettima said confidently in July 2022, as reported by Premium Times.

However, the current state of affairs paints a fierce picture. According to a West Africa Weekly report, 20 of Benue State’s 23 local government areas have been overrun by armed militias, with thousands of residents displaced and entire communities left unprotected. Despite repeated warnings from groups like the Benue Development Association (BEDA), the federal government has yet to declare a state of emergency or take decisive military action in the region.

The situation is no better in the North-East and North-West regions, where Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups continue to operate with impunity. The Tarmuwa massacre in September 2024 saw at least 130 villagers killed in a single attack. In Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, a Nigerian military drone strike intended to hit insurgents mistakenly killed over 85 civilians, prompting nationwide outrage and calls for accountability.

Shettima, whose tenure as governor of Borno was marred by major insurgent attacks, including the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, was expected to bring strategic leadership to national security. However, many observers now argue that security has deteriorated further under his watch.

Human rights organisations and political commentators have described the Tinubu-Shettima administration’s approach as fragmented and ineffective. A report concluded that the government’s response has largely failed to match the scale or complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.

Public frustration is mounting. The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum recently warned that failure to curb insecurity, especially in the northern states, could cost President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in 2027.

The president and vice president made clear promises to Nigerians. Two years in, the killings have not stopped, and whole communities are being abandoned. If this is the strategy, it is not working.

After two years, expectations are high for a serious policy shift or leadership shakeup in the national security apparatus. For many Nigerians living under constant threat, promises are no longer enough.

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