By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, in his 65th Independence Anniversary broadcast on Wednesday, outlined his administration’s achievements, ongoing reforms, and vision for a stronger, self-reliant Nigeria. Here are ten major talking points from his address:
1. The Sacrifices of Nigeria’s Founding Fathers
Tinubu began by honouring the nation’s independence heroes and reminded Nigerians of their vision. He said: “Let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world”.
2. Endurance Through Challenges
Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey, the president acknowledged struggles such as civil war, military rule, and political crises. He noted: “In all these, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage, grit, and uncommon determination”.
3. Commitment to Reform
Tinubu insisted his administration chose reform over stagnation. “We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit,” he remarked.
4. The Worst is Over
Reassuring Nigerians, Tinubu declared: “The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding”.
5. Economic Growth and Stabilisation
The president highlighted progress in the economy, saying: “Under our leadership, our economy is recovering fast, and the reforms we started over two years ago are delivering tangible results”. He cited GDP growth of 4.23% and a drop in inflation to 20.12% in August 2025.
6. Ending Subsidies and Rent-Seeking
Tinubu defended his decision to remove fuel subsidies and unify exchange rates. “We ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority,” he stressed.
7. A Producing, Not Consuming Nation
The president called for productivity over consumption, urging Nigerians: “We must be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first”.
8. Security Gains Across the Country
Tinubu praised the armed forces for their sacrifices in tackling insecurity. “Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes,” he said.
9. Investing in Youth and the Future
Acknowledging the central role of young people, Tinubu urged them to keep dreaming and innovating. He said: “You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector. Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high”.
10. A Message of Hope and Shared Sacrifice
Tinubu assured Nigerians that the gains of reforms will soon be felt in daily life. “The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather 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 stressed. “With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he concluded with a note of optimism.
