By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has turned the corner on its most difficult economic and social challenges, assuring citizens that “the worst is over” as the nation marks its 65th Independence Anniversary.
In a national broadcast on Wednesday, the President said the tough reforms undertaken by his administration since May 2023, including the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange unification, were beginning to yield “tangible results” after an initial period of pain.
“Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to safe harbour,” Tinubu said.
According to him, Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, its fastest pace in four years, while inflation dropped to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years.
He listed 12 major economic milestones, including record non-oil revenue of over ₦20 trillion by August 2025, a trade surplus of ₦7.46 trillion, external reserves at $42 billion, and oil output recovery to 1.68 million barrels per day.
The President also pointed to social programmes such as the ₦330 billion disbursed to eight million vulnerable households, student loan disbursements through NELFUND, and youth-focused initiatives like Credicorp, YouthCred, and iDICE as evidence of his government’s commitment to inclusive growth.
On national security, Tinubu maintained that Nigeria’s armed forces were “winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes,” with peace restored to hundreds of communities previously under siege.
Addressing Nigeria’s youth, he urged them to dream big and take advantage of new government-backed opportunities in technology, the creative sector, and entrepreneurship.
While acknowledging that hardship persists, Tinubu stressed that the sacrifices of the last two years were necessary to avert “economic chaos or bankruptcy.”
He added: “The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to statistics but in the food on our families’ tables, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities.”
Ending on a note of optimism, he urged Nigerians to embrace productivity, patronise local goods, and believe in the “boundless potential” of their nation.
“With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he said.
