President Bola Tinubu Independence Day speech reflected on Nigeria’s economic challenges, reforms and prospects for prosperity. In his Independence Day address on Thursday, Tinubu said Nigeria had endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval since gaining independence in 1960.
The President said Nigeria’s independence was about more than gaining sovereignty, stressing that it carried the promise of creating a nation where citizens could enjoy opportunity, dignity and a better quality of life. He said the responsibility of fulfilling that promise now rested with the present generation.
Tinubu Independence Day Speech Defends Economic Reforms
Tinubu said his administration had inherited an economy weighed down by deep structural problems and had therefore taken difficult decisions to correct its direction. He described the reforms introduced since 2023 as necessary measures that addressed weaknesses that had been allowed to grow over several years.
The President said the reforms were beginning to produce measurable results, noting that the economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026. He also said inflation had fallen from its peak, foreign reserves had been rebuilt, the foreign exchange market had stabilised and Nigeria recorded more than $6 billion in non-oil export revenue in 2025.
Tinubu said the country had reached a turning point, arguing that the government’s immediate economic task had moved beyond correcting the nation’s course. He said the next phase would focus on achieving shared and widespread prosperity and improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
The President said reducing the cost of living would be a major priority of his administration. He said the government would pursue increased agricultural production, mechanised irrigation, dry-season farming, improved access to seeds and fertiliser, better storage facilities and more efficient transportation.
Tinubu Independence Day Speech Highlights Infrastructure Plans
Tinubu said the government was continuing to build and complete roads, railways and ports to connect farms and factories with markets. He explained that lowering production and transportation costs would help reduce the prices of goods and make businesses more competitive.
The President said job creation, enterprise and industrial growth would remain central to government policy. He said Nigeria would use its gas resources to support new industries, revive factories, expand digital connectivity and develop the skills required by employers.
Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerian families were still struggling with food costs, school fees, medical bills and transportation expenses. He said the government would strengthen direct support for vulnerable households and improve the National Social Register to ensure that assistance reached those who genuinely needed it.
The President said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund was helping to ensure that students from low-income families could pursue higher education despite financial constraints. He also said CREDICORP was providing consumer credit to help Nigerians acquire essential assets, including vehicles, solar systems and digital devices.
Tinubu Independence Day Speech Outlines Social Support Measures
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue working with state and local governments to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education and other essential public services. He also said salaries and pensions had been paid on time and in full since 2023, while reforms to the national pension programme were intended to benefit retirees and vulnerable Nigerians.
Tinubu said Nigeria had moved beyond the emergency phase of economic reform and was entering what he described as an age of prosperity. He maintained that the country could now build on the foundations laid through the reforms and create an economy capable of lifting people out of poverty. He urged Nigerians to remain united and look towards a future of greater opportunity, while concluding his Independence Day message with prayers for the country and its citizens.
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