Reported by: Ijeoma G.| Edited by: Gabriel Osa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday delivered a landmark address to Nigerians in commemoration of the country’s 65th Independence anniversary, using the occasion to reflect on Nigeria’s journey since 1960 and to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to reforms, national security, and youth empowerment.
In what has become his longest national broadcast since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Tinubu spoke for about 30 minutes, framing his message as one of “hope and call to action” to build a self-reliant and productive nation.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s Journey
The President acknowledged the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers, noting that the vision of leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and Herbert Macaulay was to see a united and prosperous Nigeria that could serve as a beacon for the African continent.
Tinubu said that, despite decades of political instability, military dictatorships, economic turbulence, and even a civil war, Nigeria has demonstrated resilience and remained on the path of growth. He pointed out that compared to 1960, the country now boasts thousands of secondary schools, hundreds of universities and polytechnics, and remarkable strides in healthcare, technology, financial services, and infrastructure.
Economic Reforms and Progress
Highlighting the tough reforms embarked upon by his administration, Tinubu admitted that many Nigerians have felt the pains of policies such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates. However, he insisted that those sacrifices were necessary to break Nigeria’s dependence on rent-seeking and misaligned fiscal structures.
“Our choice was clear: either continue business as usual and watch our nation collapse, or take bold reforms to save the future. We chose the path of tomorrow,” he said.
According to Tinubu, the economy is showing signs of recovery. GDP grew by 4.23% in the second quarter of 2025 — the fastest pace in four years and above IMF projections. Inflation dropped to 20.12% in August, the lowest in three years, while non-oil revenues hit record highs. He further noted that Nigeria now maintains a healthier debt-to-revenue ratio and stronger foreign reserves, which rose to over $42 billion in September 2025.
Other achievements outlined include improvements in oil production, diversification through non-oil exports, a trade surplus, and the stabilisation of the naira. He also referenced Nigeria’s growing stock market and recent upgrades in the country’s credit ratings as proof that reforms were gaining international recognition.
Security and National Unity
On security, the President praised the sacrifices of Nigeria’s armed forces, claiming that insurgents, separatist groups, and criminal gangs were being subdued across the country. He said peace had returned to many liberated communities, particularly in the North-East and North-West, and assured that the government remained committed to ending violent crimes.
Tinubu reminded Nigerians that unity remains essential to the nation’s survival, urging citizens to stand firm against forces that seek to divide the country.
Youth Empowerment and Innovation
A significant portion of Tinubu’s speech focused on young Nigerians, whom he described as “the future and greatest asset of this nation.”
He highlighted programmes such as the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has supported over half a million students with more than N99 billion in educational loans. In addition, initiatives like Credicorp and YouthCred have provided affordable loans for graduates, NYSC members, and young entrepreneurs to access digital tools, housing upgrades, and vehicles.
The President also mentioned the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) project, launched in partnership with global development agencies, to support innovation in the tech and creative industries.
Call to Action
Closing his address, Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace productivity, innovation, and patriotism as the nation works toward self-sufficiency.
“We must farm our land, build factories to process our produce, patronise made-in-Nigeria goods, and pay our taxes. This is the only way to achieve the Nigeria we desire,” he said.
The President assured citizens that the challenges of today would lead to lasting progress tomorrow, declaring that the “dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.”
As the nation celebrates 65 years of independence, Tinubu’s message combined acknowledgment of Nigeria’s struggles with optimism for its future, appealing to citizens to work with government in shaping a more stable and productive country.
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