By Law Ibitoye
President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has shifted from economic stabilisation to creating “shared , widespread prosperity, following the economic reforms implemented by his administration, saying the country is now entering an era of prosperity.
Tinubu made the declaration in his nationwide broadcast on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, where he acknowledged the economic difficulties Nigerians had experienced while defending the reforms introduced by his administration since 2023.
According to the President, Nigeria’s economy has grown by over four per cent this year, while inflation has fallen from its peak, foreign reserves have been rebuilt and the foreign exchange market has stabilised. He also said the country recorded its highest-ever non-oil export revenue in 2025, exceeding $6 billion.
Tinubu said the government’s immediate priority had shifted from economic stabilisation to creating “shared and widespread prosperity,” with emphasis on reducing the cost of living, expanding agricultural production, improving infrastructure and creating productive jobs.
He said the government would expand mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improve access to seeds and fertiliser, invest in storage and transportation, and continue the development of roads, railways and ports to connect farms and factories with markets.
The President also highlighted plans to use Nigeria’s gas resources to power industries, revive factories, expand digital connectivity, develop skills required by employers and provide Nigerian businesses with infrastructure and financing to grow. He acknowledged that millions of Nigerians were still struggling with food, school fees, medical bills and transportation costs, stressing that the government would strengthen social support programmes, the National Social Register and initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and CREDICORP.
He said the government would also continue working with state and local governments to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education and other essential public services, while maintaining timely payment of salaries and pensions.
According to him, the reforms of the past three years were necessary to correct longstanding economic distortions and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.
“The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,” Tinubu declared, adding that the government’s objective was to build a Nigeria where prosperity would be broadly shared and every child could aspire beyond the circumstances of their birth.
The President urged Nigerians to remain united and forward-looking, saying the country had endured difficult years but now had a clearer economic direction.
“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,” he said.
He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s future and called on citizens to continue believing in the country, saying the sacrifices made would ultimately yield greater opportunities and prosperity.
Tinubu concluded by wishing Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary and praying for the continued progress of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
