The All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum has called on the Federal Government to intensify border security measures, strengthen intelligence gathering and deepen regional security collaboration as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.

The appeal was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, Dr Isa Yuguda, during the second edition of the organisation’s Policy Roundtable, themed “Asiwaju Scorecard Series: Dissecting the Renewed Hope Deliverables Achievements.”

Yuguda, a former governor of Bauchi State, said the gathering provided a timely platform for party leaders, government officials, professionals and other stakeholders to critically assess the policies, reforms and achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He noted that insecurity remained one of the country's most pressing challenges, attributing part of the problem to instability in neighbouring countries, porous borders and the increasing movement of armed groups and criminal networks across national boundaries.

According to him, these external threats have complicated Nigeria’s security landscape and enabled terrorists and other criminal elements to infiltrate communities and carry out violent attacks.

“The administration must continue to strengthen border security, intelligence gathering, regional security cooperation, surveillance systems and the operational capacity of security agencies in order to sustain and build on the gains already recorded,” Yuguda said.

The former governor stressed that as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, public debate should focus on policies, performance and practical solutions rather than rhetoric.

He identified the removal of fuel subsidy as one of the most consequential economic reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration, arguing that the policy was necessary to address longstanding structural problems within the nation's economy.

Drawing from his experience as Chairman of the Federal Government’s Fuel Subsidy Task Force in 2009, Yuguda said investigations at the time uncovered widespread irregularities, fraudulent claims and financial leakages that made the subsidy regime unsustainable.

“The subsidy system consumed enormous public resources that could have been invested in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, security, agriculture and infrastructure. Its removal was a difficult but necessary decision aimed at redirecting resources toward national development,” he said.

He commended President Tinubu for implementing a reform that previous administrations had acknowledged as necessary but failed to execute fully due to political considerations.

Yuguda further argued that the fiscal savings generated from subsidy removal had expanded the financial capacity of federal, state and local governments to fund key development programmes.

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According to him, more than N15 trillion reportedly saved from the policy has helped support strategic interventions across multiple sectors, including education, security and agriculture.

He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) as one of the beneficiaries of the reform, noting that the programme has expanded access to higher education and reduced financial barriers facing students.

In the security sector, he said increased funding and investments in modern equipment have enhanced the operational capabilities of the military and other security agencies in protecting lives and national assets.

Yuguda also highlighted renewed government support for agriculture through mechanisation, value-chain development and farmer assistance programmes aimed at boosting food production, creating jobs and reducing dependence on food imports.

He maintained that broader reforms in revenue generation, fiscal management, economic diversification and investment promotion were laying the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable economy.

The APC chieftain, however, cautioned Nigerians against political promises advocating the return of fuel subsidy, insisting that such proposals should be carefully scrutinised.

Referring to calls by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the restoration of subsidy payments, Yuguda argued that the previous regime was characterised by inefficiency, corruption and massive financial losses.

He warned that reviving the policy without addressing its underlying flaws could undermine the fiscal gains currently being used to finance critical national projects.

“While every political actor has the democratic right to propose alternative policies, such proposals must be guided by facts, sustainability and the long-term interests of the country,” he said.

Yuguda added that Nigerians deserve an honest conversation about the true cost of the former subsidy system and the implications of returning to it, particularly as the country prepares for another election cycle.

The event formed part of the APC Professionals Forum’s ongoing efforts to evaluate government policies and encourage informed public discourse on issues affecting national development.