Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), says the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration are difficult but necessary to restore stability and rebuild the economy.
Akume stated this on Wednesday while delivering a speech at the 66th Independence Anniversary Lecture organised as part of activities to commemorate the independence anniversary in Abuja.
The lecture has “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” as its theme.
According to him, the administration, which assumed office in 2023, took bold decisions to save the country from what he described as imminent economic collapse.
He listed the removal of petrol subsidy, unification of the foreign exchange market, tax reforms and other fiscal measures as some of the major decisions taken by the administration.
“These were difficult decisions, but necessary to rebuild stability, and we have started enjoying the results,” Akume said.
He, however, stressed the need to ensure that economic growth translates into jobs, improved incomes and better living conditions for Nigerians.
Akume cited World Bank figures indicating that Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, up from 3.9 per cent recorded a year earlier.
He said the growth reflected an expansion in business activities, adding that the task before government was to ensure that the gains were translated into tangible benefits for citizens.
The SGF said the country had also witnessed significant investments in infrastructure and connectivity over the past three and a half years.
He listed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Kano Highway and the East-West Road among major projects being undertaken to improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
“Government is expanding and repairing roads so that farmers can reach markets, businesses can move goods efficiently, and citizens can travel safely,” he said.
He added that the rail and port sectors were also undergoing modernisation to enhance the efficient movement of people and goods.
According to him, the government is also expanding mortgage finance to make home ownership more accessible to Nigerians while creating jobs in the real estate sector.
Speaking on power and transportation, Akume said reliable electricity and affordable transportation remained critical to improving the welfare of Nigerians.
He said the government had addressed some of the challenges in the power sector through the clearance of legacy debts, increased investment, improved transmission and better billing systems.
He added that the administration was also harnessing the country’s abundant natural gas resources through the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative.
“Over 120,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG, with more than 400 conversion centres and 90 fuelling stations nationwide,” he said.
Speaking on healthcare and social support, the nation’s chief scribe said the government was strengthening the primary healthcare system by equipping clinics and training healthcare workers under the IMPACT initiative.
He said the programme was aimed at bringing immunisation, maternal and child healthcare closer to communities.
He added that the government was expanding education and nutrition programmes in schools while strengthening social safety nets for vulnerable Nigerians.
He said the programmes would cushion vulnerable Nigerians against economic shocks and ensure that no one is left behind in the ongoing economic adjustment.
On security, Akume said the safety and welfare of Nigerians remained a major responsibility of government.
He commended the military, police and other security personnel for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of crime.
The SGF said the Federal Government was providing security agencies with improved equipment, intelligence and coordination.
He also disclosed that the government had unveiled a new National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Plan to strengthen the country’s response to security threats.
According to him, development and security were closely linked, as communities with economic opportunities and confidence in the justice system were less vulnerable to crime and violence.
Akume urged Nigerians to use the 66th independence anniversary to honour the sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers and renew their commitment to nation-building.
