This is the full text of 65th independence anniversary speech delivered by President Bola Tinubu
October 1, 2025
Fellow Nigerians,
Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation’s Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule, let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world.
Our founding heroes and heroines—Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and other nationalists—believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.
For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived. While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them. In 65 years since our Independence, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development. Our economy has experienced significant growth since 1960.
Although, it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress. Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. Available data indicate that, as of 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country. At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions. We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence – in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others.
Our country has experienced both the good and the bad times in its 65 years of nationhood, as is normal for every nation and its people. We fought a bitter and avoidable civil war, experienced military dictatorships, and lived through major political crises. In all these, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage, grit, and uncommon determination. While our system and ties that bind us are sometimes stretched by insidious forces opposed to our values and ways of life, we continue to strive to build a more perfect union where every Nigerian can find better accommodation and find purpose and fulfilment.
Fellow Compatriots, this is the third time I will address you on our independence anniversary since I assumed office as your President on May 29, 2023. In the last 28 months of my administration, like our founding fathers and leaders who came before me, I have committed myself irrevocably to the unfinished nation-building business.
Upon assuming office, our administration inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth. As a new administration, we faced a simple choice: continue business as usual and watch our nation drift, or embark on a courageous, fundamental reform path. We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit.
In resetting our country for sustainable growth, we ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority. At the same time, the masses received little or nothing from our Commonwealth. Our administration has redirected the economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling money to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure, such as roads, power, broadband, and social investment programmes. These initiatives will generally improve Nigerians’ quality of life. As a result of the tough decisions we made, the Federal and State governments, including Local Governments, now have more resources to take care of the people at the lower level of the ladder, to address our development challenges.
Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time. 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. We have to plan for the generations that will come after us. We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today, or the resources to repair our deteriorating roads, build seaports, railroads, and international airports comparable to the best in the world, because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago. Our administration is setting things right.
I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. 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.
Under our leadership, our economy is recovering fast, and the reforms we started over two years ago are delivering tangible results. The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23 per cent — Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years — and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund. Inflation declined to 20.12 per cent in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.
Economic Milestones
In the last two years of our administration, we have achieved 12 remarkable economic milestones as a result of the implementation of our sound fiscal and monetary policies:
i. Record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue: by August 2025, over ₦20 trillion raised. In September alone, ₦3.65 trillion, 411% higher than May 2023.
ii. Debt service-to-revenue ratio reduced from 97% to below 50%. Trillions freed for real economy investment.
iii. Foreign reserves increased to $42.03 billion — highest since 2019.
iv. Tax-to-GDP ratio risen to 13.5% from less than 10%. New tax law from January will expand base, not burden.
v. Nigeria recorded five consecutive quarters of trade surplus; non-oil exports now 48%.
vi. Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million bpd, plus domestic PMS refining for the first time in 40 years.
vii. Naira stabilised; multiple FX rates abolished.
viii. ₦330 billion disbursed to 8 million vulnerable households.
ix. Solid minerals rebounded; coal mining grew 57.5% in Q2.
x. Transport infrastructure expanded nationwide — rail, roads, ports, airports.
xi. Sovereign credit rating agencies upgraded Nigeria; stock market at record highs.
xii. CBN slashed interest rates for first time in five years.
Security
We are enhancing national security to ensure economic growth. Our armed forces are winning the war against terrorism, banditry, and violent crimes. Peace has returned to many communities in the North-East and North-West, and displaced persons are returning home.
Youth & Human Capital
Our young people are Nigeria’s greatest assets. Through NELFUND, 510,000 students have accessed ₦99.5 billion in loans, plus ₦44.7 billion upkeep allowance. Credicorp has disbursed ₦30 billion loans to 153,000 Nigerians. YouthCred supports NYSC members. iDICE is set to boost digital and creative industries in collaboration with AfDB, French Dev’t Agency, and Islamic Dev’t Bank.
Message of Hope
These reforms have brought temporary pains, but the alternative was economic collapse. The true measure of our success is in food security, education, electricity, and community safety. The saved resources will be invested in these areas.
On this anniversary, my message is hope and a call to action. Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land, build factories, patronise “Made-in-Nigeria” goods, and pay our taxes.
Finally, let all hands be on deck. With Almighty God on our side, I assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.
Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
