Independence Day 2026: Tinubu Declares End Of Emergency Reforms, Says Nigeria Now Enters Age Of Prosperity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has passed the phase of painful economic reforms and is now entering an era of shared prosperity.

In his 66th Independence Day Address to the nation on Thursday, October 1, 2026, titled “From Reform to Prosperity,” the President said his administration has completed the emergency treatment needed to save the nation’s economy.

“My fellow Nigerians, we have reached a turning point. The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired,” Tinubu said. “The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity.”

The President used the analogy of a cancer patient to defend his administration’s reforms since 2023, saying previous leaders chose “morphine” of subsidies while allowing the disease to spread.

“When this administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer. The reforms that followed were difficult. The side effects were real. Yet, we must never confuse the medicine with the disease,” he said.

Tinubu listed economic gains recorded three and a half years into his administration to include the growth of the economy by over 4 per cent in 2026, driven by both oil and non-oil sectors.

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He also said that Oil theft down, Inflation fallen substantially from peak, Foreign reserves rebuilt and forex market stabilised, recording of the highest non-oil export revenue in history in 2025, exceeding $6 billion and the rising foreign direct investment.

“These are not idle claims. International observers, journalists, NGOs and multilateral institutions can see the change,” he said.

The President said his central task now is to bring down cost of living by lowering cost of production.

“We have the land and people to feed ourselves. My government is therefore focused on expanding mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improving access to seeds and fertiliser, and investing in storage and transportation,” he said.

He said government is building roads, railways and ports to connect farms to markets, and will use gas to power industries, revive factories in industrial centres and expand digital connectivity.

“I want to see more Nigerians making things… I want young Nigerians building unicorns and creating opportunities for others here at home,” Tinubu said.

Acknowledging hardship, Tinubu said millions still struggle for food, school fees and medical bills due to decades of low productivity and weak institutions.

He listed interventions including strengthening the National Social Register, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for students, CREDICORP for consumer credit to buy vehicles, solar systems and devices, and improved primary healthcare and basic education. He also noted timely payment of salaries, pensions and pension reforms since 2023.

“These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge… Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently. We will defeat it,” he said.

The President concluded: “Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back… Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.”