President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Independence Day address on Wednesday, highlighted Nigeria’s achievements under his leadership and defended his contentious policies, especially the fuel subsidy removal, as difficult yet essential decisions that are starting to show positive outcomes.
Speaking to the nation on Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, Tinubu stated that his administration took over “a near-collapsed economy” in 2023 and chose to implement deep reforms rather than continue with “business as usual.”
“We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit. The worst is over,” the president declared.
Tinubu pointed out that Nigeria recorded its fastest GDP growth in four years, expanding by 4.23 per cent in Q2 2025, surpassing IMF forecasts. He added that inflation fell to 20.12 per cent in August, the lowest in three years, while non-oil revenue reached a record N20 trillion by the same month.
He stated that Nigeria has posted a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters, with non-oil exports now accounting for 48 per cent of total trade. “For the first time in forty years, Nigeria is refining PMS domestically and has become Africa’s top exporter of aviation fuel,” he added.
The president also highlighted stronger foreign reserves at $42 billion, a more stable naira, increased oil production of 1.68 million barrels per day, and renewed investor confidence, evidenced by stock market gains and upgraded sovereign credit ratings.
Infrastructure and Social Welfare Initiatives
Tinubu detailed ongoing infrastructure initiatives, such as the Kano-Katsina-Maradi and Kaduna-Kano railways, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway. He added that $3 billion had been allocated to complete the Eastern Rail Project.
On social welfare, the president said N330 billion had been disbursed to eight million households. He pointed to student loans under NELFUND, affordable credit through Credicorp, and youth-targeted financing such as YouthCred and the iDICE innovation programme.
Security, National Growth, and a Call for Patriotism
On security, Tinubu praised the military for “winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes,” noting that peace had returned to many communities in the North-East and North-West.
While admitting that many Nigerians are still enduring hardship, Tinubu insisted reforms are working. “The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to statistics, but in the food on our tables, the quality of education, electricity in our homes, and security in our communities,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to embrace productivity, innovation and patriotism: “Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Nigeria first.”
Tinubu concluded on an optimistic note, saying, “With Almighty God on our side, I assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria has arrived.”
