Godswill Michael
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace farming, boost local production, and pay their taxes faithfully as part of renewed efforts to build a stronger and self-reliant nation. He made the appeal in a national broadcast on Sunday to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.
Tinubu said his administration had taken difficult economic reforms to reset the country on the path of sustainable growth, but insisted that collective sacrifice and responsibility were needed to secure the nation’s future. “Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes,” the President said.
The broadcast, which touched on the economy, security, and youth development, came 28 months into his administration. Tinubu noted that the government inherited a “near-collapsed economy” in May 2023 but chose bold reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of foreign exchange rates. According to him, those decisions were painful but necessary. “The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,” he assured.
Highlighting progress, Tinubu reported that the economy grew by 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, surpassing IMF projections. Inflation dropped to 20.12 per cent in August, the lowest in three years, while non-oil revenue hit a record ₦20 trillion by August 2025. He added that Nigeria recorded a ₦7.46 trillion trade surplus in Q2 2025, with non-oil exports now accounting for 48 per cent of total exports.
On taxation, Tinubu stressed that the new tax law taking effect in January was not about overburdening citizens but broadening the base. “The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners,” he explained.
The President also praised security forces for gains in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes. “Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes,” he said.
Addressing the youth, Tinubu reaffirmed that they remain the nation’s greatest asset. He pointed to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has supported over 510,000 students, as well as programmes like Credicorp, YouthCred, and iDICE, which are providing credit, skills, and opportunities for young Nigerians.
While acknowledging the “biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living,” Tinubu urged citizens not to lose hope. “The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities,” he said.
He closed with a call for unity and resilience. “Therefore, on this 65th Anniversary of Our Independence, my message is hope and a call to action. Finally, let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation,” Tinubu declared.
