Nigeria at 66: Tinubu Says Reforms Must Finish, Tells Nation “From Reform to Prosperity”
Port Harcourt, Nigeria. October 3, 2026. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1 with a national address titled “From Reform to Prosperity,” urging citizens to stay the course as the government’s economic reforms enter their final phase.
Speaking from the State House, the President said the difficult choices of the past years — the removal of the fuel subsidy, the unification of exchange rates and a raft of tax reforms — were made to rescue the economy from what he described as an unsustainable past, and that the results are beginning to show in stabilising prices and improved government revenues.
Key points from the address
1. Reform completion: The President insisted the reform programme must run to its conclusion, arguing that stopping halfway would squander the gains already recorded.
2. Security: He pointed to improved security coordination in parts of the North and pledged sustained action against banditry and insurgency.
3. Jobs and the youth: A renewed push on youth employment, technical education and digital skills was announced, with the government promising to expand programmes that connect young Nigerians to opportunities in the technology and creative sectors.
4. National unity: The President called for unity and mutual respect among Nigerians, saying the country’s diversity remains its greatest strength at 66.
A nation weighing patience against hardship
Reaction across the country has been mixed. While many Nigerians welcomed the improved revenue figures and relative exchange-rate stability cited in the speech, others noted that household costs remain high and asked for reforms to deliver visible relief faster.
Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) was among prominent voices who used the anniversary to call on Nigerians to move beyond criticism and contribute to nation-building, a sentiment echoed in several Independence Day editorials.
Where to read more
The full text of the address is available on the State House website. Leading newspapers also carried analyses of the anniversary in their October 1 front pages, including Punch’s “Nigeria@66: From resilience to enduring capability”.
GD Trending News will continue to track the reform agenda and what it means for ordinary Nigerians. Follow our Nigerian News category for daily updates.