10 Key Highlights From President Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflected on Nigeria’s 65-year journey, reforms under his administration, and his vision for the future in his Independence Day broadcast.

Here are 10 key highlights from his speech:

Honouring The Founding Fathers

Tinubu paid tribute to Nigeria’s independence heroes, reminding citizens of their vision:
“Our founding heroes and heroines—Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and other nationalists, believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.”

Progress In Education

He celebrated Nigeria’s massive educational growth since 1960:

“At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. Available data indicate that, as of year 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country. At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions.”

Bold Economic Reforms

Tinubu justified his government’s tough decisions on fuel subsidy and forex:
“We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit.”

Economic Recovery

Assuring Nigerians of progress, he declared:
“The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour.”

Record Revenues and Fiscal Health

Tinubu highlighted improved finances:
“We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue… Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%… Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September, the highest since 2019.”

Security Gains

He praised the military’s sacrifices against terrorism and banditry:
“Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.”

Support for the Poor

On welfare, he stated:
“Under the social investment programme to support poor households and vulnerable Nigerians, N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of the N25,000 each.”

Empowering the Youth

Tinubu assured young Nigerians of his commitment:
“You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country…You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector. Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.”

Call for Productivity and Patriotism

He urged citizens to embrace self-reliance:
“Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. I say Nigeria first.”

Message of Hope

Tinubu closed with optimism for the future:
“With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.”