President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has “corrected its course” following years of economic reforms, urging Nigerians to look ahead with renewed hope and confidence.
Tinubu made the declaration in his Independence Day address, saying his administration’s social and economic programmes were designed to ensure that vulnerable Nigerians are not abandoned as the country pursues economic growth.
He said the government was strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register to ensure assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.
The President also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, saying it would help ensure that children from low-income families are not forced to abandon higher education because their parents cannot afford tuition.
According to him, the Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) is also expanding access to consumer credit for working Nigerians seeking to acquire vehicles, solar systems, digital devices and other essential assets.
Tinubu said his administration would continue working with state and local governments to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education and other essential public services relied upon by poorer Nigerians.
He further claimed that since 2023, his administration had paid salaries and pensions on time and in full, while reforms to the national pension programme were aimed at benefiting retirees and vulnerable Nigerians.
“These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge to aid our nation’s citizens on their path towards it,” Tinubu said.
“Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently. We will defeat it.”
The President acknowledged that eliminating poverty would take time, discipline, sustained economic growth and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across the country.
He argued that Nigeria was now undertaking the task from “a position of strength”, following what he described as corrections to the fundamental direction of the economy.
“We confronted the difficult choices we faced and have laid the foundations for lasting prosperity,” he said.
Tinubu declared that the country was moving from what he called the “age of reform” into “the age of prosperity”.
“The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity. An age in which the promise of this great nation must finally become the lived experience of Nigerians from all walks of life,” he said.
Reflecting on the difficulties Nigerians had experienced, the President urged citizens to remain united and look towards the future.
“I believe deeply in what lies ahead,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s strength remained in the work, courage and determination of ordinary Nigerians.
Tinubu invoked the biblical story of the Exodus, saying Nigeria had “passed through our own Red Sea” and should not turn 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,” he said.
He described the “Promised Land” as a Nigeria of abundance and opportunity, where prosperity is broadly shared and every child can dream beyond the circumstances of birth.
“Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back,” the President said.
He concluded by wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Day and praying for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
