October 1, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told Nigerians the “worst is over,” seeking to rally a weary populace around a narrative of recovery after a period of profound economic strain. Marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, the president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reforms and appealed for renewed faith in the country’s trajectory.
Opening his speech with tributes to the founding fathers and the ideals of freedom, Tinubu acknowledged the arduous path Nigeria has traversed since 1960. He framed his term in office as one forced into difficult but unavoidable decisions: ending fuel subsidies, unifying multiple foreign exchange rates, and shifting resources toward sectors long neglected — education, health, infrastructure, and security. He argued that these reforms were not ideological gambles, but urgent course corrections necessary to rescue a moribund economy.
According to the president, those corrections are now bearing fruit. He cited a second-quarter growth rate of 4.23 percent — the fastest in four years — and an inflation rate of 20.12 percent in August, a lull he described as the lowest in three years. Tinubu disclosed that external reserves have surged to US$42.03 billion, asserting this was the strongest reserve position since 2019. He also pointed to a record N330 billion disbursed to eight million vulnerable households, as part of his social investment programme, and highlighted gains in non-oil exports now representing 48 percent of export volume. With trade surpluses in five consecutive quarters, he argued that Nigeria had become “a net exporter,” gradually shifting from oil dependency to a more diversified economy.
On security, Tinubu claimed victories against insurgency, banditry, and violent crime, particularly in the North-East and North-West, and said that liberated communities were seeing returning residents. He urged continued support for the armed forces, whose sacrifices he said undergirded the fragile peace.
Concluding his speech, the president called on Nigerians to embrace productivity, innovation, and enterprise. He stressed the importance of supporting local industries and faithfully paying taxes as vital contributions to national development. President Tinubu’s message was clear: Nigeria’s future depends on the active participation of every citizen, working together to build a stronger, more prosperous nation.
As Nigeria celebrates this milestone, the president’s speech serves as both a reflection on progress and a rallying cry for continued effort, reminding all Nigerians that the journey toward greatness is a shared responsibility. With unity, determination, and commitment, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and realize its full potential in the years ahead.
Last modified: October 2, 2025
