President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the country has “turned the corner” and is on the path to recove...
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the country has “turned the corner” and is on the path to recovery, despite the hardships caused by his administration’s sweeping economic reforms.
In a nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, the President said his government chose “the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today” when it removed fuel subsidies and collapsed multiple foreign exchange windows, policies he described as corrupt and detrimental to the nation’s growth. “The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,” Tinubu declared, praising Nigerians for their endurance and support over the past 28 months.
The President highlighted what he described as tangible signs of progress. He said the economy expanded by 4.23 percent in the second quarter of 2025, the fastest in four years, while inflation dropped to 20.12 percent, its lowest level in three years. He also noted that government revenue had risen sharply, foreign reserves climbed to $42.03 billion, and Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of ₦7.46 trillion, with non-oil exports now accounting for nearly half of the nation’s foreign earnings. According to him, the naira has stabilised following foreign exchange reforms, while social investment programmes have already disbursed ₦330 billion to eight million vulnerable households.
On security, Tinubu commended the armed forces for their sacrifices and said they were “winning the war” against terrorism, banditry, and separatist violence. He added that peace had returned to many liberated communities in the North-East and North-West, allowing displaced families to return home.
Speaking directly to young people, the President urged them to “dream big, innovate, and conquer new territories,” pointing to new initiatives such as student loans, consumer credit schemes, and the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme as proof of his government’s commitment to the future generation. While admitting that inflation and the cost of living remain major concerns, he insisted that the reforms were necessary to avert economic collapse. “Our sacrifices have not been in vain,” he said.
Tinubu ended his broadcast with a call for unity and patriotism, urging Nigerians to support local production, patronise made-in-Nigeria goods, and pay their taxes as part of the nation’s collective renewal. “With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he concluded.
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