By Charles Pemu 
President Bola Tinubu used his 65th Independence Day address to issue a “call to action,” urging Nigerians to focus on productivity, innovation, and enterprise to elevate the nation’s global standing. While acknowledging the “temporary pains“ of his economic reforms, such as the fuel subsidy removal, the President assured citizens that their sacrifices were necessary and not in vain.
The President stressed that Nigeria must shift its focus from consumption to production.
“Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise,” he stated. He specifically urged sub-national entities (states and local governments) to join the nation-building effort, calling on all citizens to:
- “Farm our land and build factories to process our produce.”
- “Patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first.“
- “Pay our taxes.”
Justifying the Hardship
Acknowledging that the “biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern,” Tinubu defended the tough decisions, explaining that the alternative was allowing the country to “descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy.”
He expressed confidence in the administration’s direction, noting that “Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain.”
A Foundation for the Future
Tinubu emphasized that the true measure of success goes beyond statistics, focusing instead on tangible improvements in citizens’ lives: “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 concluded his address on a note of hope, assuring the nation that the government will continue to “fix the plumbing in our economy” and that the stability and resources saved are being channeled into these critical areas. He ended with a declaration: “The dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.”