As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence Day, President Bola Tinubu has called on citizens to work together to reposition the country on the global stage.
In his national address on Wednesday, the President said Nigeria must become a nation that produces, not just consumes.
“We must all embrace productivity, innovation, and enterprise—just like the Ministry of Interior has done by speeding up passport processing. I also call on state governments to join in building the nation,” Tinubu said.
He urged Nigerians to farm the land, set up factories, process local produce, and buy goods made in Nigeria. “I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes,” he added.
Message of Hope
The President admitted that his government’s reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidy, have brought hardship. However, he said allowing Nigeria to slide into economic collapse was never an option.
“These reforms come with temporary pains. Inflation and the rising cost of living are real challenges, but avoiding reforms would have led us into bankruptcy. Our economic progress shows that these sacrifices are not wasted,” Tinubu explained.
Laying a New Foundation
Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration is building a lasting foundation for the country.
“Success will not only be measured in numbers, but in the food on our tables, the quality of education for our children, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities,” he said.
He promised that the savings from reforms and economic stability will be invested in critical areas, and noted that local government autonomy and state efforts are already leading to more development.
On this 65th Independence anniversary, Tinubu described his message as one of hope and action.
“The federal government will continue fixing the economy. Let us all believe in the potential of our nation. With God on our side, the dawn of a prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here,” he concluded.
