Theme FROM REFORM TO PROSPERITY:
By President Bola Tinubu
My fellow Nigerians,
Sixty-six years ago today, our flag was raised, for the first time, over a free and sovereign nation. Since then, we have journeyed together as one nation, bound by our collective trust in the great promise of Nigeria: that a country of our size, our bountiful resources, our cultural diversity and, above all, our extraordinary people can build a giant in Africa; that in this blessed and fertile land we can build a united, strong and prosperous nation; a land of regional authority and global consequence.
Our journey has not always been easy. In truth, it has generally been too hard for too many. We have known moments of great hope and periods of profound disappointment. We have endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval. Yet through it all, Nigeria, with the indomitable spirit of its people, has endured.
It has endured through the efforts of the farmer who rises before dawn to work his land. The trader who opens her shop each morning, hopeful for a productive day. The teacher who believes in the children entrusted to her care and the young entrepreneur who refuses to surrender ambition to circumstance. We are grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us may live in peace.
Through every difficulty, generations of Nigerians have continued to believe in one thing: that this country of ours will be better.
When we came to office in 2023, we met a country in distress. By 2023, poverty was rising, and hope was nearly gone. Nigeria was like a sick patient who receives the terrible news that he has cancer. His doctor explains that the treatment will be difficult and painful, but that it offers a strong prospect of recovery. For too long, Nigeria’s leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came.
We chose treatment. We removed the addictive subsidies and ended the multiple exchange rate windows that enriched a few.
Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity. Reducing the cost of living remains our central focus, by cutting the cost of producing and transporting goods and services.
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, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward.
Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.
