“REFORM TIME DON PASS, PROSPERITY TIME DON START!” — President Tinubu Tell Nigerians For 66th Independence Speech

As Nigeria mark 66 years of independence today, October 1, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu don declare say the period of painful emergency economic reforms don officially end, and the country don reach turning point into the "Age of Prosperity."

Inside his nationwide speech to celebrate the country's 66th Independence Anniversary, President Tinubu defend all the tough economic decisions his administration take since 2023, yarning say the bitter medicine don work and Nigeria economy don start to show strong result.

President Tinubu compare Nigeria economy when he take over for 2023 to a sick patient wey dem diagnose with cancer.

He blast past leaders say for many years, dem dey give the country "morphine" (addictive subsidies and temporary palliatives) to just dull the pain while the disease dey spread, instead of curing the real sickness.

"For too long, Nigeria’s leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came... When this Administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer. The reforms were difficult and side effects real, but we must never confuse the medicine with the disease." — President Bola Tinubu

Tinubu highlight say three and a half years after the hard reforms start, clear proof dey say Nigeria economy don bounce back:

• 4% Economic Growth: The economy grow by over 4 per cent this year across both oil and non-oil sectors.

• $6 Billion Non-Oil Export Record: In 2025, Nigeria record its highest non-oil export revenue inside history, hitting over $6 billion.

• Oil Theft & Inflation Down: Inflation don fall significantly from its highest peak, oil theft don crash, and foreign exchange reserves don rebuild.

The President announce say the main work of government don change from "fixing the foundation" to delivering shared prosperity wey every Nigerian fit feel inside their pocket.

To slash the high cost of food and living, the Federal Government plan to:

1. Boost Agriculture: Expand mechanized irrigation, dry-season farming, and provide cheaper fertilizers and seeds.

2. Fix Transport & Storage: Complete major roads, railways, and ports so farmers go fit move crops go market quickly without spoilage.

3. Power Industries With Gas: Use local gas resources to power factories, bring industrial centers back to life, and create jobs for youths.

Acknowledging say many families still dey struggle to eat or pay bills, Tinubu outline key government support systems:

• NELFUND (Student Loan): To make sure pikin from poor background no drop out of higher education.

• CREDICORP (Consumer Credit): To allow working Nigerians buy cars, solar panels, and electronics on credit without saving money for years.

• Social Register & Cash Transfers: Direct support give the poorest households and reformed pension payments for retirees.

Wrapping up his address, President Tinubu urge Nigerians make dem no listen to voices wey dey demand say government return to old subsidy habits.

"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... The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity."