Independence Day: Nigeria was like cancer patient on morphine, until we came — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria has moved beyond the period of economic reforms and entered what he described as an “age of prosperity”, urging Nigerians to look forward rather than return to policies that, according to him, deepened the country’s economic problems. Tinubu stated this in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Thursday to mark the country’s 66th anniversary. The President acknowledged the hardship still facing millions of Nigerians and outlined his government’s priorities for the next phase of his administration.

Here are seven key takeaways from the President’s broadcast: 1. Tinubu says Nigeria’s economic outlook has improved The President said Nigeria’s economy grew by more than four per cent in 2026, with both the oil and non-oil sectors contributing to what he described as a period of stable growth. He also said oil theft had declined, inflation had fallen substantially from its peak, foreign reserves had been rebuilt and the foreign exchange market had stabilised.

Tinubu added that Nigeria recorded more than $6 billion in non-oil export revenue in 2025, describing it as the country’s highest ever. He defended his administration’s economic reforms Tinubu compared Nigeria’s economic situation before his administration’s reforms to a patient suffering from cancer who must undergo difficult treatment to recover. He said previous governments had postponed difficult decisions and sustained inefficient arrangements, arguing that his administration chose to confront the underlying weaknesses in the economy.

“Our reforms did not create the weaknesses in our economy. The President also rejected calls to return to what he described as “addictive subsidies”, saying the country must remember why the reforms were introduced. Tinubu says the next phase is about prosperity According to the President, the focus of his administration has shifted from correcting Nigeria’s economic course to achieving “shared and widespread prosperity.” He said prosperity should not be measured only through economic statistics but by whether farmers can work safely, factories have reliable power, businesses can access credit and young Nigerians can find productive jobs.

The foundation has been repaired,” he said. Lowering the cost of living remains a priority Tinubu said his administrat… President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has moved beyond the phase of economic reforms and entered what he described as an “age of prosperity”, promising to focus his administration on lowering the cost of living, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for Nigerians.

Tinubu made the declaration in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as the country marked 66 years of independence. The president said his administration had taken difficult economic decisions since assuming office, arguing that the reforms were necessary to address longstanding distortions in the economy. “By 2023, poverty was rising, and hope was nearly gone.