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FROM REFORM TO PROSPERITY: INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, 1ST OCTOBER 2026
FROM REFORM TO PROSPERITY: INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, 1ST OCTOBER 2026
My fellow Nigerians,
Sixty-six years ago today, our flag was raised, for the first time, over a free and sovereign nation. Since then, we have journeyed together as one nation, bound by our collective trust in the great promise of Nigeria: that a country of our size, our bountiful resources, our cultural diversity and, above all, our extraordinary people can build a giant in Africa; that in this blessed and fertile land we can build a united, strong and prosperous nation; a land of regional authority and global consequence.
Our journey has not always been easy. In truth, it has generally been too hard for too many. We have known moments of great hope and periods of profound disappointment. We have endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval. Yet through it all, Nigeria, with the indomitable spirit of its people, has endured.
It has endured through the efforts of the farmer who rises before dawn to work his land. The trader who opens her shop each morning, hopeful for a productive day. The teacher who believes in the children entrusted to her care and the young entrepreneur who refuses to surrender ambition to circumstance. We are grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us may live in peace.
Through every difficulty, generations of Nigerians have continued to believe in one thing: that this country of ours will be better.
This faith, which sustains us all, is the inheritance of independence. Our founding fathers did not struggle merely for a flag, an anthem or a place among the nations of the world. Independence carried a larger promise: that Nigerians would have the freedom to shape their own destiny and build a nation capable of providing opportunity, dignity and a better life for its people. Sixty-six years later, Almighty God has made it our responsibility to deliver that promise.
For too long, Nigeria’s leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came.
They focused on symptoms while allowing the disease to take hold deep within the fabric of our society. We spent enormous sums sustaining inefficient arrangements that were never intended to last. We hid from difficult truths and passed the consequences from one generation to the next.
When this Administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer. The reforms that followed were difficult. The side effects were real. Yet, we must never confuse the medicine with the disease.
Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them. Now, as certain influential but regressive voices would have us abandon the treatment and return ourselves to the abuse of addictive subsidies, we must resist their siren song. We must remember why we began this journey and how far we have already come.
Three and a half years later, the evidence that Nigeria’s economic outlook has improved is undeniable. Our economy has grown by over 4 per cent this year. Both oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to the renewed period of stable growth.
Oil theft is down. Inflation has fallen substantially from its peak. Our foreign reserves have been rebuilt, our foreign exchange market has stabilised, and in 2025 this country recorded its highest revenue from non-oil exports in its history, exceeding $6 billion. This is real money being made by real Nigerian businesses.
These are not idle claims. International observers, journalists, NGOs and multilateral institutions can see the change. Each has concluded that our reforms have strengthened Nigeria’s economic stability and resilience. The private sector has long since delivered its verdict, and foreign direct investment continues to rise each year.
My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point.
The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed. For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course.
Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity.
When I speak of prosperity, I do not speak merely of a larger economy, abstract numbers or better statistics. I mean something much more personal. I mean a market that is more affordable for the family. I mean food on the table, jobs for our youth, capital for our small businesses, and opportunity for every Nigerian child, regardless of where they are born.
Our next phase will focus on reducing the cost of living by reducing the cost of producing and moving goods. We will invest in mechanised agriculture, irrigation, storage, transportation, roads, railways and ports to reduce the cost of producing and moving goods.
We will invest in industries, digital connectivity, skills development and access to finance. We will use our gas to power our industries.
I know millions of Nigerians still struggle with food, education, healthcare and transportation. We are strengthening social support through the National Social Register, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and CREDICORP, while improving primary healthcare, basic education and other essential services.
Our ultimate objective is to defeat poverty. The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity.
Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back. Let us go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward.
Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.
Our destination is a Promised Land of abundance and opportunity where prosperity is broadly shared and children can pursue their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
Happy Independence Day, my fellow Nigerians.
God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
My fellow Nigerians,
Sixty-six years ago today, our flag was raised, for the first time, over a free and sovereign nation. Since then, we have journeyed together as one nation, bound by our collective trust in the great promise of Nigeria: that a country of our size, our bountiful resources, our cultural diversity and, above all, our extraordinary people can build a giant in Africa; that in this blessed and fertile land we can build a united, strong and prosperous nation; a land of regional authority and global consequence.
Our journey has not always been easy. In truth, it has generally been too hard for too many. We have known moments of great hope and periods of profound disappointment. We have endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval. Yet through it all, Nigeria, with the indomitable spirit of its people, has endured.
It has endured through the efforts of the farmer who rises before dawn to work his land. The trader who opens her shop each morning, hopeful for a productive day. The teacher who believes in the children entrusted to her care and the young entrepreneur who refuses to surrender ambition to circumstance. We are grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us may live in peace.
Through every difficulty, generations of Nigerians have continued to believe in one thing: that this country of ours will be better.
This faith, which sustains us all, is the inheritance of independence. Our founding fathers did not struggle merely for a flag, an anthem or a place among the nations of the world. Independence carried a larger promise: that Nigerians would have the freedom to shape their own destiny and build a nation capable of providing opportunity, dignity and a better life for its people. Sixty-six years later, Almighty God has made it our responsibility to deliver that promise.
For too long, Nigeria’s leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came.
They focused on symptoms while allowing the disease to take hold deep within the fabric of our society. We spent enormous sums sustaining inefficient arrangements that were never intended to last. We hid from difficult truths and passed the consequences from one generation to the next.
When this Administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer. The reforms that followed were difficult. The side effects were real. Yet, we must never confuse the medicine with the disease.
Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. They confronted them. Now, as certain influential but regressive voices would have us abandon the treatment and return ourselves to the abuse of addictive subsidies, we must resist their siren song. We must remember why we began this journey and how far we have already come.
Three and a half years later, the evidence that Nigeria’s economic outlook has improved is undeniable. Our economy has grown by over 4 per cent this year. Both oil and non-oil sectors have contributed to the renewed period of stable growth.
Oil theft is down. Inflation has fallen substantially from its peak. Our foreign reserves have been rebuilt, our foreign exchange market has stabilised, and in 2025 this country recorded its highest revenue from non-oil exports in its history, exceeding $6 billion. This is real money being made by real Nigerian businesses.
These are not idle claims. International observers, journalists, NGOs and multilateral institutions can see the change. Each has concluded that our reforms have strengthened Nigeria’s economic stability and resilience. The private sector has long since delivered its verdict, and foreign direct investment continues to rise each year.
My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point.
The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed. For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course.
Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity.
When I speak of prosperity, I do not speak merely of a larger economy, abstract numbers or better statistics. I mean something much more personal. I mean a market that is more affordable for the family. I mean food on the table, jobs for our youth, capital for our small businesses, and opportunity for every Nigerian child, regardless of where they are born.
Our next phase will focus on reducing the cost of living by reducing the cost of producing and moving goods. We will invest in mechanised agriculture, irrigation, storage, transportation, roads, railways and ports to reduce the cost of producing and moving goods.
We will invest in industries, digital connectivity, skills development and access to finance. We will use our gas to power our industries.
I know millions of Nigerians still struggle with food, education, healthcare and transportation. We are strengthening social support through the National Social Register, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and CREDICORP, while improving primary healthcare, basic education and other essential services.
Our ultimate objective is to defeat poverty. The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity.
Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back. Let us go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward.
Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.
Our destination is a Promised Land of abundance and opportunity where prosperity is broadly shared and children can pursue their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
Happy Independence Day, my fellow Nigerians.
God bless you all, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
