In a recent interview on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head” program at London Hall, Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu’s special advisor for political communications, dismissed claims that Nigeria’s security situation had spiraled out of control. In a lively exchange with host Mehdi Hasan, Bwala argued that the federal government was making significant progress in stabilizing the country. He emphasized that no country is completely immune to security problems and pointed out that even major cities like London have vulnerable areas after dark.
Bwala explained that the first two years of the Tinubu administration were characterized by a period of relative peace before a resurgence of attacks. He attributed this, in part, to the dissemination of certain narratives that fueled religious conflict. To combat what he described as a global phenomenon of terrorism, he highlighted Nigeria’s cooperation with the United States, Turkey, and other allies in sharing intelligence and resources.
Bwala criticized Western media for what he sees as a systematic negative bias toward African nations. Using the metaphor of a glass of water, he illustrated that while foreign media focused on shortcomings and difficulties, the Nigerian government concentrated on progress. He stated that he did not believe the insecurity situation would worsen and emphasized that the government was working tirelessly to resolve it.
The advisor cited several key steps to demonstrate the government’s proactive approach, including the capture and elimination of key leaders of Boko Haram and the Lakurawa group. He noted that these efforts had been recognized by the U.S. State Department. He also pointed out that Nigeria had declared a national emergency in early 2025, months before prominent international figures publicly addressed the issue.
While acknowledging that kidnappings had become a significant economic burden, Bwala emphasized that the government faced a complex and multifaceted geographical challenge. To protect vulnerable students, the government launched the “Safe Schools” initiative, which involves relocating children from at-risk rural areas to safer state capitals.
Despite these official assurances, the interview takes place amid a wave of violence. Recent reports indicate that a devastating attack occurred in the Gwoza district of Borno State, in which more than 100 women and children were abducted and several community leaders, including a chief imam, were killed shortly after the breaking of the fast.
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