By The Nation,Vincent Ikuomola Abuja
Copyright thenationonlineng
By Vincent Ikuomola and Goodness Abiodun, Abuja
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerians to sustain their faith in the country, stressing that all hands are needed on deck to consolidate the gains of the last two and a half years as the nation works toward fulfilling its aspirations.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Idris said the administration has shown “uncommon commitment” to balanced and inclusive development since assuming office.
He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has invested heavily in changing the national narrative, noting that the government’s efforts are geared toward the common good of all citizens.
This year’s celebration is themed “Nigeria at 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation.”
Idris was joined at the briefing by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Musa Dangiwa, Minister of Environment, Balarebe Abbas, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and Presidential media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman.
READ ALSO; Nigeria @65: Abuja Command of NSCDC deploys 4,500 personnel
He said, “This administration is working for you, listening to you, and is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind. Let us continue to believe in Nigeria, because together, we can make our country greater than ever before.
“As we celebrate 65 years of independence, let us steadfastly hold on to hope, unity, and patriotism. Let us never lose sight of the fact that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan — it is a reality that is already touching lives and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
“Fellow Nigerians, once again this is our message to you: we need all hands on deck to consolidate on the gains of the last two and a half years, even as we march boldly towards the Nigeria of our dreams.”
He added, “Contrary to the perception being pushed in some quarters, this administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment to balanced and inclusive development since assuming office. The distribution of capital projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is equitable. No region is taking a back seat.”
He said the government was fully aware of the sacrifices the people had been making in the last two years.
Idris said, “We fully acknowledge your sacrifices and your understanding in the last 28 months, as President Tinubu has worked tirelessly to steady the ship. It is now time for the entire country to reap the fruit of the seeds of reform that have been painstakingly planted.”
“Local Government Areas are being fiscally reintegrated as catalysts for growth and development, with the financial autonomy that the President is determined to fully operationalize.
“Today, all State Governments now receive, from the federation account, multiples of the revenue they used to get, thanks to the increased headroom from the oil subsidy removal. Subnational governments are now able to do a lot more, and with less debt.”
He also noted that with the reforms in place, no state should be owing workers’ salaries, stressing that any state that does “is doing so by choice”.
“This is the more reason why the ‘All Hands-on Deck’ message is apt and timely—henceforth no tier of government has any excuse not to fully pull its weight in this collective task of comprehensive economic growth and development,” the Minister added.
He also unveiled plans by the federal government to support States and local government Areas’ infrastructural development.
The minister said, “Beyond these, the Federal Government is actively going further to support various subnational infrastructure projects, like the light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna States, for which funding to the tune of ₦150 billion and ₦100 billion, respectively, has been secured.
Other steps by President Tinubu, the minister said, included the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development “to harness our underutilised potential and transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into a sustainable and globally competitive industry. In addition, to spur agricultural production, the Bank of Agriculture has been recapitalised to the tune of N1.5 trillion and is regarded as the most significant boost to agricultural financing in Nigeria.”
Under President Tinubu, our nation is gradually recapturing the spirit of people-centered, grassroots development, through the establishment of five new regional development commissions and a supervising federal ministry for regional development.
“We are in the middle of a road and transport infrastructure revolution, of which the flagship initiative is the one comprising the Presidential legacy highways, designed to connect Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, enhance national integration, and unlock new economic corridors.”
He reassured Nigeria that “Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and its Eight (8) Priority Areas, President Tinubu is laying the building blocks for a national renewal anchored on prosperity, peace, and unity. At this point, our collective participation in nation-building is critical to the sustenance of the progress being made.
“That is why the theme of this 65th Anniversary is “All hands on Deck”—a direct and heartfelt call to all Nigerians and our friends and partners around the world to show understanding and to commit to supporting these landmark reforms.”
He reeled out some of the achievements made by this administration, which include the economy and infrastructure.
He said, “Our trade surplus continues to grow, with an increasing share of contributions from the non-oil sector. Declining inflation, a strengthening currency, falling food prices, and growing external reserves—all of these are more eloquent testimony that we are on the right track.
“From January 2026, we will commence implementation of the Tax Acts quartet, which will expand our nation’s revenue base while simultaneously simplifying tax collection and lessening the burden on our people. These new tax laws represent a huge leap forward for the Nigerian economy and for business, entrepreneurship, and investment.
“With more revenue at its disposal, on account of the reforms, the Tinubu administration is investing heavily in the key components that will catalyse our collective growth and development: health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, energy security, regional and grassroots development, small business, youth, and national security.
“As we speak, more than 500,000 students of tertiary institutions – universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education- are already benefitting from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), in which tuition and upkeep fees are paid for by the Federal Government. This is unprecedented in our history.
“Under President Tinubu, our nation is gradually recapturing the spirit of people-centered, grassroots development through the establishment of five new regional development commissions and a supervising federal ministry for regional development.
“We are in the middle of a road and transport infrastructure revolution, of which the flagship initiative is the one comprising the Presidential legacy highways, designed to connect Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, enhance national integration, and unlock new economic corridors.
“These landmark road projects are the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway; the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway; the 477-kilometre Trans-Saharan Highway traversing Calabar, Ebonyi, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, and the FCT; and the 422-kilometer Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Expressway.
“Complementing these are the high-impact rail projects: the Kano-Kaduna standard gauge rail, and the renewed push for the rehabilitation of the Eastern Corridor of the rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
“In the energy sector, this administration has revived the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant, and we are determined to bring it to completion. The Presidential Power Initiative (aka Siemens power project) is on course, as is the Presidential Metering Initiative, a vital collaboration between the Federal and subnational governments, which will deliver 7 million smart meters to close the country’s metering gap by 2027.
“Currently, Nigeria is home to the implementation of one of the world’s largest distributed renewable energy projects—the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, a $750 million World Bank-supported program that will deliver clean and off-grid electricity to more than 17.5 million Nigerians.
“In oil and gas, the progress is equally unprecedented. We have seen a steady increase in oil production to meet our OPEC quota, and an equally steady reduction in oil losses to a 16-year low. Gas flaring is also at an all-time low, while new investments are flooding in to scale up gas exploration, processing, and distribution. New investments in deepwater oil and gas exploration have exceeded five billion dollars.
“We are advancing the AKK Gas Project and other critical gas pipelines, while frontier basin oil and gas exploration has resumed with the drilling of three oil wells in the Kolmani region of Bauchi and Gombe States.
“In solid minerals and mining, we have welcomed investments such as the $50 million ASBA Lithium Plant in FCT, and the $600million Avatar Lithium processing Plant in Nasarawa State. Between 2023 and 2024, royalties earned by the government on solid minerals more than doubled, reflecting the success of our diversification efforts.
“In healthcare, over 1,000 primary health care centres have been rehabilitated across the country, underscoring the administration’s commitment to human capital and social infrastructure.
“Recently, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, has commissioned three advanced and world-class oncology centres as part of a broader push to expand health infrastructure in the country. The commissioned cancer centres are located at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina (FTHK), and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).
“Another three new centres are nearing completion at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Lagos University Teaching Hospital. (LUTH), and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH).”
The Minister also outlined some of the contributions the country has made in the last 65 years.
He said, “For 65 years, Nigeria has charted an extraordinary journey of growth and resilience, evolving in politics, economy, democracy, and military strength. Our nation has not only stood as a beacon of hope for its citizens but has also emerged as a rallying point for the entire Black race across the globe, embodying the spirit of unity, courage, and leadership.
“Nigeria played an audacious pioneering role in the liberation and independence movements of several African nations, particularly during the transformative decades of the 1960s to 1980s.
“Through unwavering political support, skilful diplomacy, and, at times, strategic material assistance, Nigeria stood shoulder to shoulder with those fighting for freedom and self-determination.
“Various African countries bear testament to Nigeria’s enduring commitment to their struggles for independence. Our solidarity went beyond words; it was a demonstration of Africa rising together, united against oppression and colonial subjugation. We stood—and continue to stand—firmly in our belief that our continent, Africa, has come of age.
“Nigeria also led the charge in mobilizing West African nations to forge a common front through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), advancing the cause of regional integration, economic cooperation, and collective security. Through platforms such as ECOMOG, Nigeria contributed both men and material resources to restore peace and stability in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone, which showcased our commitment to regional harmony and the protection of human dignity.
“Today, through the Technical Aid Corps, we continue to assist dozens of countries in Africa and beyond, with Nigerian experts and technical support. On the democratic front, Nigeria has been a vanguard of constitutional governance on the continent. Our insistence on the restoration and preservation of democracy across West Africa and beyond stands as a watershed, reinforcing the principle that true progress is anchored in people’s participation and the rule of law.
“On the global stage, Nigeria has also defined its role in peace and security, making significant contributions to United Nations peace-keeping missions around the world. Earlier this year we entered into an agreement with the African Union to provide Strategic Sea Lift Services—supporting the Union’s peacekeeping operations, disaster response, humanitarian aid, and personnel movement.
“These efforts underscore our unshakable belief that peace, stability, and justice are universal values, deserving the active engagement of every nation.”
