President Bola Tinubu has declared that it is time for Nigerians to enjoy shared economic prosperity, insisting that his administration’s policy reforms, which critics argued worsened economic hardship, are now yielding results.
Mr Tinubu made the remarks during a televised nationwide address on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary. He said the reform process took three years to complete but noted that it had yielded the desired results.
“The emergency treatment is over. The foundation has been repaired. The central economic task before us has changed. For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course. Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity,” Mr Tinubu said.
Mr Tinubu clarified that the benefits of his reforms would not only be reflected in macroeconomic indicators but would also be felt by the average Nigerian in various areas, including electricity, transportation costs, education, and the cost of living.
“When I speak of prosperity, I do not speak merely of a larger economy, abstract numbers or better statistics. I mean something much more personal. I mean a Nigeria in which the farmer can cultivate his land safely, produce more at lower cost, and earn a decent return for his labour.
“A Nigeria in which factories have reliable power, businesses can obtain credit, and young people can find productive work. A Nigeria in which food and transportation are affordable, education is within reach, and hard-working families can look towards the future with confidence,” the president noted.
Mr Tinubu’s declaration came as political parties are gearing up for nationwide campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential election in January.