Nigeria@65: Nigeria Has Turned the Corner After Years of Economic Distress- Tinubu Declares

…calls for national unity and productivity as he outlines progress in key sectors and promises brighter days ahead

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a defiant and optimistic message to Nigerians, declaring that “the worst is over” and that the country is “finally turning the corner” after years of economic instability and painful reforms.

Speaking from the State House in Abuja in Celebrating the 65th Independent of Nigeria, President Tinubu rallied Nigerians to believe in the country’s renewed promise, asserting that his administration’s tough choices have begun yielding visible results.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s turbulent but resilient history since gaining independence in 1960, Tinubu praised the sacrifices of founding fathers like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello.

He reminded Nigerians that the dream of leading the Black race remains alive, but must now be matched with bold reforms and tough love.

“We chose the path of reform,” Tinubu said. “We chose tomorrow over the comfort of today.”

He acknowledged inheriting a “near-collapsed economy” in 2023, plagued by distorted fiscal policies and unsustainable fuel subsidies, but defended the controversial decisions taken to reset the economic landscape, including the removal of subsidies and unifying the foreign exchange market.

“Our tax-to-GDP ratio is now 13.5%—a historic jump,” the President noted, adding that Nigeria is now firmly on the path to becoming a “net exporter and diversified economy.”

The President reiterated that ending fuel subsidies saved trillions of naira, which are now being invested in critical sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, roads, and power infrastructure.

“This administration has redirected the economy towards inclusiveness,”

Tinubu said, affirming that federal, state, and local governments now have more funds to reach vulnerable Nigerians.

The President saluted the nation’s military and security agencies for reclaiming territories and restoring peace in the North-East and North-West. He specifically cited progress against:

“Our officers are winning the war. Peace is returning. Communities are rebuilding,” he declared.

Tinubu called on all Nigerians to shift from a consumption-based economy to a productive, innovative, and tax-compliant one.

“Let us be a nation of producers. Let us farm our land and build factories. Let us patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods,” he said.

He urged governors and local governments to mirror federal reforms and expand development at the grassroots.

“With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.”