Tinubu Hails Nigeria’s Progress, Reels Out Economic Gains at 65th Independence Anniversary

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, addressed Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, assuring citizens that his administration’s tough economic reforms are yielding tangible results and promising “a dawn of a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria.”

In his national broadcast, Tinubu paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and others, whose sacrifices, he said, laid the foundation for the nation’s sovereignty.

While acknowledging that Nigeria has endured decades of political upheavals, military rule, and economic setbacks, Tinubu declared that the country has made “tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and development” since independence in 1960.

The president said his administration inherited a near-collapsed economy in May 2023 but chose the path of “courageous reforms” instead of maintaining a failing status quo.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates as policies that ended corruption and freed up resources for education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and infrastructure.

According to Tinubu, these reforms are now producing results. He announced that:

. Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, the fastest pace in four years.

. Inflation dropped to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest in three years.

. Non-oil revenue surpassed ₦20 trillion by August 2025, with ₦3.65 trillion raised in September alone.

. Foreign reserves climbed to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.

Nigeria posted five consecutive trade surpluses, with non-oil exports now accounting for 48% of total exports.

Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day, while domestic refining resumed for the first time in four decades.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Eastern Rail Project, and new international airports, while noting that global credit agencies had upgraded Nigeria’s ratings.

On security, the president praised the armed forces for “winning the war against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes,” noting that peace has returned to hundreds of communities in the North-East and North-West.

Addressing young Nigerians, Tinubu described them as “the greatest assets of this blessed country.” He pointed to initiatives such as the NELFUND student loan scheme, which has disbursed nearly ₦100 billion to 510,000 students, and the YouthCred programme, which provides credit facilities to NYSC members.

He also highlighted the upcoming Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, designed to support tech and creative start-ups, in partnership with AfDB, AFD, and the Islamic Development Bank.

Tinubu admitted that many Nigerians still feel the “temporary pains” of rising costs but insisted that the sacrifices are not in vain.

“The worst is over,” he said. “Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. Our success will not only be measured in statistics but in food on our families’ tables, the electricity in our homes, the quality of education for our children, and the security of our communities.”

He urged state governments, local councils, and citizens to embrace productivity, innovation, and patronage of local goods, stressing that “Nigeria must become a nation of producers, not just consumers.”

Concluding his address, Tinubu called for unity and renewed faith in Nigeria’s future.

“With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he declared.