Abuja, Oct. 1, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday marked Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary with a nationwide broadcast, urging citizens to reflect on the country’s journey while assuring that ongoing reforms are already yielding results.
In his address, Tinubu described the anniversary as a solemn moment to honour Nigeria’s founding fathers who, in 1960, envisioned a united and prosperous nation that would stand tall among African states.
“While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development,” the President said.
Economic Growth and Reforms
Tinubu noted significant strides in education, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, aviation, and defence. He recalled that Nigeria has grown from two tertiary institutions at independence to more than 700 universities, polytechnics and colleges of education today.
Reflecting on the nation’s turbulent past, including civil war, military rule and political crises, he maintained that Nigeria had always emerged stronger. “We continue to strive to build a more perfect union where every Nigerian can find purpose and fulfilment,” he said.
The President emphasised that his administration inherited a “near-collapsed economy” in 2023 but chose bold reforms over “business as usual.” He cited the removal of fuel subsidies and unification of exchange rates as measures that redirected funds to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social investment.
“The worst is over,” Tinubu declared, pointing to second-quarter GDP growth of 4.23 per cent the fastest in four years alongside a drop in inflation to 20.12 per cent, the lowest in three years.
He listed 12 major economic milestones, including:
- Record non-oil revenue of N20 trillion by August 2025
- Reduction in debt servicing costs
- Stronger foreign reserves at $42 billion
- Nigeria’s first domestic refining of petrol in four decades
- A more stable naira and a booming stock market
- Ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, and Eastern Rail Project
- A growing trade surplus driven by non-oil exports
Security and Social Investment
On security, Tinubu commended the military and security agencies for notable victories against insurgency, secessionist threats, and banditry. He said the improved situation had allowed displaced persons to return to their communities in the North-East, South-East and North-West.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering the youth, whom he described as “the greatest assets of this blessed country.” Among the initiatives highlighted were:
- The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has disbursed N99.5 billion to 510,000 students
- Credicorp loans worth N30 billion to 153,000 Nigerians
- YouthCred consumer credit for NYSC members
- Continued support for the iDICE programme targeting technology and the creative industries
A Message of Hope
Acknowledging that reforms have brought “temporary pains,” Tinubu admitted that rising living costs remain a major concern. However, he reassured Nigerians that their sacrifices are not in vain.
“The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities,” he said.
The President urged citizens to embrace productivity, innovation, and patronage of local products. “Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. I say Nigeria first,” he declared.
Concluding his speech on a note of optimism, Tinubu said: “With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
