Tinubu says reforms will move Nigeria towards prosperity in Independence Day address

President Bola Tinubu used Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day address to tell Nigerians that the pain from his government’s reforms must now give way to better living conditions, promising that his administration would focus on the cost of basic needs and the creation of productive work.

Tinubu acknowledged that many households are still struggling with food, school fees, medical bills and transport costs. He said those difficulties did not begin with the reforms of the last three years, but he also said the government had a duty to change the circumstances of vulnerable Nigerians.

The President defended the reforms as necessary for long-term growth and said Nigeria was moving from “reform to prosperity”. He pointed to growth of more than 4 per cent this year, contributions from both oil and non-oil sectors, lower oil theft, lower inflation, rebuilt foreign reserves and a more stable foreign exchange market.

He also said Nigeria recorded more than $6 billion in non-oil export revenue in 2025, describing it as the country’s highest figure in that area. The economic claims were presented as part of his argument that the reforms had begun to show results, even though many families were yet to feel enough relief in daily life.

Tinubu said social investment programmes, support for retirees and assistance for vulnerable Nigerians were meant to help people through the transition, not to replace prosperity. “Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently. We will defeat it,” he said.

He said the next test would be whether farmers could produce safely and earn better returns, whether factories could get reliable power, whether businesses could obtain credit, and whether food, transport and education could become more affordable for families.

Sources: Punch, Premium Times, Channels TV