Full Text: President Tinubu’s 3rd Anniversary Address Shakes Nation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed Nigerians on Friday morning in a nationwide message marking the third anniversary of his administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, following a closely contested presidential election.

PRESIDENT TINUBU’S STATEMENT ON HIS THIRD ANNIVERSARY (MAY 29, 2026)

He began by acknowledging the trust placed in him three years ago, describing it as a “sacred responsibility” taken at a critical point in Nigeria’s history. He said he was fully aware of the country’s challenges at the time but remained confident in the resilience of Nigerians.

The President noted that his administration inherited deep economic and structural problems, including heavy fiscal pressure, unsustainable fuel subsidies, weak revenue generation, foreign exchange distortions, rising debt servicing costs, insecurity, energy shortages, and declining public trust in institutions.

He highlighted that Nigeria was spending about ₦18.4 billion daily on fuel subsidies—over ₦4 trillion in 2022 alone—funds he said could have been directed toward development projects such as roads, healthcare, education, housing, and infrastructure. He also pointed to losses of over ₦8 trillion due to forex market inefficiencies and arbitrage.

Tinubu said difficult but necessary reforms were required to avoid economic collapse, stressing that his administration chose long-term recovery over short-term political convenience.

He acknowledged that the reforms brought hardship, including rising living costs and pressure on households, workers, and businesses, but insisted that the sacrifices were necessary for national stability.

ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE CLAIMS

The President said the economy has now stabilised and is on a path of recovery, noting improved public finances, increased allocations to states and local governments, and rising investor confidence.

He highlighted strong performance in the stock market, saying the All Share Index grew significantly from about 53,000 in 2023 to 250,000, with market capitalisation rising to ₦160 trillion.

Tinubu also pointed to major infrastructure projects, including over 2,700km of roads under construction or rehabilitation, alongside key highways such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, and Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road.

He said rail modernisation projects are ongoing to improve national connectivity and economic integration.

OIL, ENERGY, AND POWER SECTOR

According to him, reforms in the oil and gas sector have attracted billions of dollars in investment, including progress on the $5 billion NLNG Train 7 project.

He added that local refining capacity has improved, reducing dependence on imported fuel and helping conserve foreign exchange.

On electricity, he said the government is addressing longstanding challenges by clearing debts, upgrading infrastructure, and investing in renewable energy and grid expansion to improve national power supply.

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, AND HOUSING

Tinubu said agricultural programmes have supported millions of farmers through improved inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, and access to credit.

He also stated that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has supported over 1.5 million students with more than ₦282 billion in disbursements.

In housing, he said more than 10,000 housing units are being delivered across multiple states, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs under the Renewed Hope Housing Programme.

DIGITAL ECONOMY, HEALTH, AND TELECOMS

He noted improvements in the telecommunications sector, with renewed investor confidence and expanding digital infrastructure.

In healthcare, he said primary health centres are being revitalised and health insurance coverage is expanding for vulnerable citizens.

YOUTH AND SECURITY

Tinubu described Nigerian youths as central to the country’s future, saying his administration is investing in digital skills, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

On security, he said military and security agencies are intensifying operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups, adding that progress is being made despite ongoing challenges.

NATIONAL UNITY AND FINAL MESSAGE

The President called for unity, urging Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to nation-building. He said no group or region should feel excluded, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity is a strength.

He concluded that while challenges remain, the foundation for recovery has been laid, and the country is gradually moving toward stability and growth.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to maintain faith in the country, reject division, and work together toward a more secure and prosperous future, adding that Nigeria is undergoing a necessary test that will ultimately lead to a stronger nation.