By

Patrick Ngwaogu 

 In a bold and optimistic Independence Day address, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that Nigeria has “turned the corner” economically, announcing a wave of infrastructure ambitions while touting signs of recovery following years of reform and hardship.

 

“Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time,” Tinubu said. “We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools our children will attend and the hospitals that will care for our people.”

 

Speaking during the commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Tinubu admitted that past decades of underinvestment in critical infrastructure had left the country struggling to meet today’s needs — from electricity and roads to ports and airports.

 

“We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today… because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago,” he said. “Our administration is setting things right.”

Amid ongoing economic challenges, Tinubu offered a hopeful update on Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators:

• GDP growth reached 4.23% in Q2 2025, the fastest in four years, surpassing the IMF’s projection of 3.4%.

• Inflation dropped to 20.12% in August, the lowest level in three years.

 

“Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,” Tinubu assured. “I salute your endurance, support, and understanding.”

 

He credited the country’s recent progress to the reforms implemented over the past two years, which, though initially painful, are now yielding tangible improvements.

 

The President reaffirmed his personal commitment to the nation, promising to justify the trust Nigerians placed in him:

 

“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.”

Beyond macroeconomics, Tinubu highlighted the urgent need to accelerate infrastructure development, calling for swift action to:

• Build and repair roads, schools, hospitals

• Expand power generation

• Modernize seaports, railroads, and international airports

 

He emphasized that these efforts are not just for the present, but essential to secure the future for generations to come.

 

In addition, Tinubu pointed to renewed government focus on agriculture and food production, saying this would help reduce food costs and improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

President Tinubu’s message marks a tone shift from previous national addresses, blending hard truths about past failures with measured optimism rooted in data and infrastructure commitments.

 

As the administration enters the third year of its term under the “Renewed Hope Agenda”, Tinubu is betting that sustained reforms — and a more engaged, enduring public — will lay the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous Nigeria.