Tinubu Independence Day speech focused on Nigeria’s economic reforms, national unity and the government’s plans for greater prosperity as the country marked its 66th Independence Day on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The President said Nigeria had faced difficult economic conditions for years and argued that his government had chosen to confront problems that previous administrations had allowed to grow rather than continue with policies that, in his view, only delayed deeper reforms.
Tinubu Independence Day Address Highlights Economic Reforms
In the Tinubu Independence Day address, the President said Nigeria’s economic outlook had improved after three years of reforms, pointing to growth in the economy, lower inflation from its peak, rebuilt foreign reserves and greater stability in the foreign exchange market.
He said the economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, while oil theft had declined and non-oil exports generated more than $6 billion in 2025, which he described as the highest revenue from non-oil exports in the country’s history.
However, Tinubu acknowledged that the impact of economic hardship is still being felt by millions of Nigerians who struggle with food costs, school fees, medical bills and transportation expenses.
The President said these challenges did not begin with the reforms of the past three years, arguing that they were the result of problems that had accumulated over several decades.
He maintained that the government would not return to the petrol subsidy system and urged Nigerians to look beyond the difficult period of adjustment, while insisting that the reforms were intended to correct longstanding weaknesses in the economy.
Meanwhile, Tinubu said the country had “passed through our own Red Sea” and urged Nigerians not to look back as the government moves into what he described as a new phase focused on shared prosperity.
Lower Costs, Jobs and Production Become New Priorities
According to the President, reducing the cost of living will remain one of the government’s major priorities as it enters this next phase.
He said the government intends to achieve this partly by reducing the cost of producing and transporting goods, with greater attention being given to agriculture, irrigation, mechanisation, storage and transportation.
Tinubu also pointed to ongoing investments in roads, railways and ports, saying better infrastructure would help connect farms and factories to markets and reduce some of the costs that eventually affect prices paid by consumers.
Beyond lowering prices, the President said Nigeria must create more productive opportunities for its growing population, particularly young people entering the workforce.
He said the government would place jobs, enterprise and industrial growth at the centre of its policies, while expanding digital connectivity, supporting businesses and investing in skills needed by employers.
The President also highlighted programmes designed to support Nigerians who are still struggling financially, including the National Social Register, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and CREDICORP.
He said these initiatives were intended to provide support while the wider economy develops enough to create more sustainable opportunities.
Tinubu further called for continued investment in primary healthcare, basic education and other public services, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians.
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Day, the President’s message was centred on a transition from economic reform to broader prosperity. He said the government had spent the past three years trying to correct the country’s economic direction and would now focus on ensuring that growth produces more jobs, stronger businesses and better living conditions.
Tinubu ended his address by urging Nigerians to remain united and hopeful about the country’s future, saying the road ahead would still require discipline and sustained effort.
His declaration of an “age of prosperity” now places greater attention on how the government’s economic policies translate into everyday improvements for Nigerians, particularly in areas such as food prices, transportation, employment and household income.