President Tinubu Calls For Hope, Unity, Productivity As Nigeria Marks 65TH Independence Anniversary
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to remain united, resilient, and hopeful as the nation celebrates its 65th Independence Anniversary.
In a national broadcast to commemorate the occasion, President Tinubu reflected on Nigeria’s journey since 1960, acknowledging the sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers and mothers, while highlighting the progress and challenges faced over the decades.
“Our story has been marked by trials and triumphs—civil war, military rule, political crises, and economic downturns. Yet, Nigeria has endured. We bent but did not break,” the President stated.
He noted that when Nigeria gained independence, it had only one university and 120 secondary schools. Today, the country boasts over 23,000 secondary schools, 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education. He described this growth as evidence of Nigeria’s resilience and determination to build a modern nation.
On the economy, President Tinubu recalled the state of affairs his administration inherited in 2023, which he described as a “near-collapsed economy.” He explained that his government chose bold reforms over the comfort of status quo, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates.
According to the President, these reforms are yielding results, with GDP growth reaching 4.23% in Q2 2025, inflation dropping to its lowest level in three years, and foreign reserves rising to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019. Nigeria has also recorded five consecutive quarters of trade surplus, while oil production has rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day.
He further noted that ₦330 billion has been disbursed to eight million vulnerable households under the social investment programme, while landmark infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Kano-Katsina-Maradi Rail, and the Eastern Rail are progressing.
On security, President Tinubu praised the armed forces for their sacrifices, noting that peace has returned to many previously troubled communities in the North-East and North-West.
The President also reassured Nigerian youths of his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities through initiatives such as NELFUND for student loans, Credicorp for affordable consumer credit, and the iDICE programme to support innovation in digital and creative industries.
“To our youths, you are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are shaping Nigeria today. We will continue to give you wings to fly,” he affirmed.
While acknowledging the hardships caused by reforms, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the worst is over, promising that the benefits of sacrifice would soon translate into better food security, electricity, quality education, and safer communities.
He urged Nigerians to embrace productivity, patronise made-in-Nigeria goods, pay their taxes, and believe in the nation’s potential.
“On this 65th Independence Anniversary, let us dream again, rise again, and build again. With Almighty God on our side, the dawn of a new Nigeria has already begun,” the President concluded.
One Comment