By Promise Dera

Copyright nigerianeye

In a stirring national broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrated the nation’s progress since 1960, hailing the youth as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s future and outlining significant economic strides under his administration.

Reflecting on the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers and heroines—such as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti—Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to their vision of a united, prosperous Nigeria leading Africa.

Acknowledging the challenges of the past, including a civil war, military rule, and political crises, Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s resilience.

“We have weathered every storm with courage, grit, and uncommon determination,” he said, highlighting monumental growth in education, healthcare, and infrastructure since Independence.

From just 120 secondary schools in 1960, Nigeria now boasts over 23,000, alongside 274 universities and numerous polytechnics and colleges of education. Sectors like telecommunications, aviation, and manufacturing have also seen remarkable advancements.

Tinubu reiterated the bold reforms his administration initiated upon taking office in May 2023, tackling a near-collapsed economy through measures like ending corrupt fuel subsidies and unifying multiple exchange rates.

These decisions, though painful, have yielded results: GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025, inflation dropped to 20.12% in August, and non-oil revenue soared to over N20 trillion by August 2025.

The Naira has stabilized, foreign reserves hit $42.03 billion, and Nigeria has become a net exporter with a trade surplus of N7.46 trillion in Q2 2025.

Oil production rose to 1.68 million barrels per day, and domestic PMS refining has resumed after four decades.Security efforts have also borne fruit, with significant victories against terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, allowing thousands to return to their homes in the North-West and North-East.

Tinubu saluted the armed forces for their sacrifices, noting that peace has been restored to many communities.Addressing the youth, Tinubu called them Nigeria’s “greatest assets,” urging them to dream big and innovate in science, technology, sports, and the arts.

He highlighted initiatives like NELFUND, which has disbursed N99.5 billion in loans and N44.7 billion in upkeep allowances to 510,000 students, and Credicorp, providing N30 billion in loans to 153,000 Nigerians for essentials like vehicles and solar energy.

The YouthCred program supports NYSC members with consumer credit, while the iDICE program, nearing implementation, aims to empower young innovators in tech and creative sectors.

Despite acknowledging the temporary pains of inflation and rising living costs, Tinubu assured Nigerians that “the worst is over.”

He emphasized that economic stability is enabling investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social programs, with N330 billion disbursed to eight million households. He called for collective action, urging Nigerians to produce, innovate, and patronize local goods to build a self-reliant nation.

“As we celebrate 65 years of Independence, my message is hope and a call to action,” Tinubu declared.

“The dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.” With a rallying cry of “Nigeria first,” he urged all citizens to contribute to nation-building, assuring them that with God’s guidance, Nigeria’s boundless potential will be realized.

Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, Nigeria!

Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday