Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu, stating that the President is doing his best to address Nigeria’s challenges across various sectors, Truth Live News International reports.
Gowon made the remarks on Saturday, March 14, 2026, while speaking to journalists after visiting President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The former military leader said he was satisfied with the direction of governance under Tinubu, noting that the administration is making efforts to tackle political, economic and security challenges confronting the country.
“As far as it goes, isn’t he doing the best he can all round? So there is no particular place. Every other area, political, economic, social, etc, and of course, the major problem that we have today, the security in the area, he’s doing everything to deal with those for the good of Nigeria,” Gowon said.
When asked if there were areas where the President should improve, the elder statesman maintained that Tinubu must continue to focus on the overall interest of the nation.
“There is no particular place. He’s got to look after the interests of Nigeria in all areas,” he stated.
Gowon explained that his visit to the Presidential Villa was partly to appreciate the President for what he described as the progress being recorded under his leadership.
“I came to see him and to thank him for all the good work that he’s doing for the country.
“We had to look at all the good work that the President is doing and the progress that Nigeria is making economically and otherwise,” he said.
Speaking on the security challenges facing the country, Gowon expressed confidence in the President’s handling of the situation, saying the government is working to confront the threats confronting Nigeria.
“The major problem that we have today, the security in the area, he’s doing everything to deal with those for the good of Nigeria, for the good of all Nigerians,” he added.
The former Head of State also emphasised that the responsibility of addressing the nation’s challenges rests largely on the current administration.
“The problem that is happening today, it is only the government today, Mr. President, that can rally and deal with it, and he is dealing with it the best he can without creating any problem for Nigeria and for the country,” Gowon stated.
He further assured Nigerians that the government is making efforts to ensure the country achieves lasting peace.
“I can assure you, the government is handling it the best it can to ensure that Nigeria, in the end, achieves the peace that it deserves, that it requires and it deserves,” he said.
Gen. Gowon, who ruled Nigeria between 1966 and 1975, remains one of the country’s longest-serving leaders and is widely regarded as an elder statesman.
His comments come at a time when the Tinubu administration is facing criticism from opposition groups over issues including insecurity, rising inflation and the impact of economic reforms such as the removal of petrol subsidy in June 2023.
However, the government has defended its policies, pointing to improvements in foreign reserves, crude oil production and revenue generation as signs of economic recovery.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu, during a meeting with media executives on Friday night, said Nigeria had been pulled back from the brink of economic collapse and urged the media to also hold state and local governments accountable in their coverage of governance.