President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a heartfelt address to Nigerians on Friday, commemorating the third anniversary of his administration since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Zilla Naija reports.
In his message, the President spoke directly to citizens about both the challenges and progress of his tenure, highlighting the difficult decisions taken to stabilise the economy and urging Nigerians to remain united as the country continues its recovery.
Tinubu Reminds Nigerians of Early Challenges
Tinubu began by recalling the state of the nation when his administration took over, noting a range of economic and structural crises — including huge daily fuel subsidy costs, declining revenues, exchange‑rate distortions, heavy debt servicing, energy shortages and insecurity across parts of the country.
He said that many of these problems could have pushed Nigeria into a deeper crisis if tough reforms were not undertaken.
“The easy choice would have been politically convenient — but leadership demands courage,” the President said, adding that the reforms, though painful, were necessary to prevent fiscal breakdown.
Visible Progress, Economic Growth and Infrastructure
Tinubu told Nigerians that key reform efforts are beginning to show positive economic results, with improvements seen in public finances, investor confidence and major infrastructure projects.
He listed developments across several sectors:
- Road construction: Thousands of kilometres of major highways are under construction or rehabilitation, including the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto‑Badagry Super Highway, and Abuja‑Kaduna‑Kano Road.
- Rail modernisation: Projects improving connectivity and logistics are advancing.
- Oil and Gas: Increased investment and local refining are helping reduce dependence on imported products and conserving foreign exchange.
- Power sector interventions: Ongoing grid upgrades and renewable energy projects are under way to boost electricity generation and reliability.
Support for Youth, Agriculture, Education and Housing
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerians in key areas:
- Agriculture support: Expanded access to modern farming tools, finance and markets.
- Education loans: Over 1.5 million students have gained access to finance through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
- Renewed Hope Housing Programme: Thousands of affordable homes are being delivered across the country, creating jobs and boosting construction.
Security, Unity and Hope for the Future
Acknowledging that security remains a national concern, Tinubu said efforts continue to strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces and security agencies to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnappings.
He also called on Nigerians to embrace unity, resilience and hope, emphasising that the nation’s diversity — religious, regional and cultural — should be seen as a strength, not a source of division.
“We must choose hope over despair, unity over division, and nation‑building over narrow interests,” he said.
Message to Citizens
Tinubu concluded by urging Nigerians to maintain faith in the country’s future and to work together toward shared prosperity. He said the journey toward national renewal is ongoing, but Nigeria is on the path to emerge stronger, fairer and more prosperous than ever before.
