President Bola Tinubu on Friday addressedthe nation in commemoration of his third year annivesary on the saddle as Nigeria’s helmsman. He highlighted many things as challenges and achievements during these past years, while giving hope for the future. Here are 12 main things he addressed in that speech.
- Difficult reforms: President Tinubu explained that removing fuel subsidies and tackling exchange-rate distortions were tough but necessary decisions to prevent fiscal collapse.
He said: “Together, we chose reform over ruin and decisiveness over hesitation.” - Economic stabilisation: Tinubu assured Nigerians that sacrifices have not been in vain, claiming the economy has stabilised and is moving forward. “At the height of the subsidy regime, Nigeria was spending as much as ₦18.4 billion daily to sustain petrol subsidies—over ₦4 trillion in 2022 alone—resources that could have been invested in roads, healthcare, education, housing, and critical infrastructure. Multiple exchange rate windows and forex arbitrage created massive distortions, with Nigeria losing more than ₦8 trillion over three years to rent-seeking and speculative practices.”
- Stock market growth: He highlighted the All Share Index rising from 53,000 in 2023 to 250,000 in 2026, with market capitalisation jumping from ₦30 trillion to ₦160 trillion.
“Our economy is now more competitive and better positioned for sustainable growth than it was in 2023. Public finances are improving. States and local governments have greater resources to invest in their people. Investor confidence is growing. The stock market is booming, with the All Share Index rising from 53,000 and market capitalisation of N30 Trillion in 2023 to a record All Share Index of 250,000 and market capitalisation of N160 Trillion this year. Companies are declaring record profits and dividends.” - Infrastructure projects: Over 2,700 km of highways and major roads are under construction or rehabilitation, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road. He said: “Critical infrastructure projects are advancing at an unprecedented scale. Over 2,700 kilometres of highways and major roads are under construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, the East-West Road, and many rural access roads. Significant sections are already completed or nearing completion, improving transportation, reducing travel time, boosting regional trade, and creating thousands of jobs.”
- Rail modernisation: Ongoing rail projects aim to improve connectivity, logistics, and economic integration nationwide.
“Rail modernisation projects are ongoing to improve connectivity, logistics, and economic integration across the federation.” - Oil and gas investment: Reforms attracted billions in fresh investment, with the $5 billion NLNG Train 7 project nearing completion.
“In the oil and gas sector, the reforms we instituted have attracted billions of dollars in fresh investment from the international oil companies that had shunned our country. The $5 billion NLNG Train 7 project is nearing completion to boost LNG production capacity, exports, and dividends.” - Power sector reforms: Clearing debts, expanding transmission, and investing in renewable energy to strengthen the national grid.
“For years, the power sector suffered from debt, underinvestment, and uncertainty, which weakened generation capacity and limited growth. Today, we are confronting those challenges directly.” - Agricultural support: Millions of farmers benefited from improved seedlings, fertilisers, mechanisation, and access to finance.
“Agricultural interventions have supported millions of farmers by improving seedlings, fertilisers, mechanisation, and irrigation and by expanding access to finance and markets. We are opening new agricultural corridors to create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and reduce pressure on household incomes.” - Education loan fund: Over 1.5 million students accessed higher education loans worth ₦282 billion.
“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has provided over 1.5 million students with access to higher education, disbursing more than ₦282 billion to ensure that no willing student is denied access due to financial hardship.” - Housing programme: According to the President, the Renewed Hope Housing Programme is delivering 10,000 housing units, creating 300,000 jobs, and expanding affordable housing.
“Major Renewed Hope Cities in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano are progressing steadily. Our consumer credit initiative, CREDICORP, is opening up new economic opportunities for workers and families.” - Youth empowerment: He emphasised that young people are the “engine of Nigeria’s future,” with investments in digital skills, innovation, and enterprise support.
“To our young people, I want you to know this nation believes in you. You are not a problem to be managed. You are the engine of Nigeria’s future. Across technology, manufacturing, creative industries, agriculture, sports, and entrepreneurship, we are expanding opportunities for you to compete and succeed. We are investing in digital skills, technical education, innovation, student financing, and enterprise support because the future must be driven by Nigerian talent, creativity, and productivity.” - Security improvements: Armed Forces and security agencies intensified operations against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, with progress in making communities safer.
“We are improving the capabilities of our armed forces and security agencies, and reclaiming the authority of the Nigerian state wherever criminality threatens peace and order.”
Tinubu ended the speech with a call to unity, urging Nigerians to choose hope over despair, unity over division, and to continue building a secure, prosperous, and inclusive nation.
