President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has outlined an ambitious security and development agenda for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election, promising to recruit an additional 78,000 military and police personnel if re-elected for a second term.

The commitments are contained in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027–2031 presidential manifesto titled From Reform to Prosperity Agenda 2027–2031.

According to the manifesto, the proposed recruitment will involve 28,000 additional military personnel and 50,000 police officers as part of efforts to strengthen national security and tackle persistent challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and organised crime.

The proposed recruitment is expected to strengthen the country’s security architecture and improve the protection of lives and property across the federation.

Plans to Strengthen Nigeria’s Security System

Under the proposed security programme, Tinubu plans to complete the establishment and equipping of four new Army divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

The manifesto also outlines plans to improve intelligence gathering, modernise security operations and provide better equipment and specialised training for security personnel.

For the Nigeria Police Force, the proposed agenda includes training and deploying 50,000 newly recruited officers while expanding recruitment and tactical training towards achieving a ratio of one police officer to every 400 citizens.

The administration also plans to introduce modern policing systems, including digital record management, body cameras, geographic mapping tools, emergency response channels and improved forensic facilities.

In addition, the manifesto proposes recruiting 30,150 personnel into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to take over static security responsibilities currently handled by police officers.

This is expected to allow more police personnel to concentrate on patrols, investigations and other security operations.

200,000 Affordable Homes Also Promised

Beyond security, Tinubu’s proposed second-term agenda includes a housing programme aimed at facilitating the construction of 200,000 affordable homes for Nigerian workers by 2031.

The proposed Tinubu Mass Social Housing Scheme will rely on mortgage financing and partnerships with licensed private developers to improve access to decent housing.

The manifesto also identifies economic growth as a major priority, with a target of achieving six per cent annual economic growth by 2031.

Other economic targets include reducing youth unemployment by half, expanding access to affordable credit and sustaining efforts to reduce inflation and food prices.

Electricity and Education Plans

In the electricity sector, the APC manifesto targets scaling available electricity generation towards 10,000 megawatts by 2031.

The plan also includes expanding electricity metering, strengthening transmission and distribution networks and improving access to clean energy in underserved communities.

For education, Tinubu has proposed recruiting and training 20,000 additional teachers, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The administration also intends to reduce the number of out-of-school children by half and expand technical, vocational and digital training opportunities.

Healthcare Development

Healthcare is another major component of the proposed second-term programme.

The manifesto targets increasing the proportion of functional primary healthcare centres nationwide from the reported 53 per cent to 90 per cent by 2031.

It also proposes expanding active health insurance coverage to 40 per cent of Nigerians, compared with more than 23 million current enrollees.

Other plans include improving maternal healthcare, strengthening medical facilities and increasing local production of essential medicines.

Nigerians Await Implementation of the Promises

The proposed agenda outlines several targets that the APC intends to pursue if Tinubu secures another presidential term in 2027.

However, the promises will require effective implementation, adequate funding and cooperation between federal and state governments to achieve the stated objectives.

For Nigerians, the major issues will be whether the proposed recruitment improves security, whether the housing programme becomes accessible to ordinary workers and whether the economic targets translate into better living conditions.

As the 2027 election approaches, the manifesto is expected to remain an important part of discussions surrounding the country’s security, economy and development priorities.

Source: The Punch, APC 2027–2031 Presidential Manifesto.