President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s economic reforms and highlighted key achievements in infrastructure, education, housing, agriculture, and security as he marked the third anniversary of his government on Friday.
In a nationwide address on Friday commemorating three years in office, Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged the economic hardship experienced by Nigerians but insisted that the tough decisions taken since 2023 were necessary to prevent fiscal collapse and place the country on a path to recovery.
The President said his administration inherited major economic and structural challenges, including unsustainable fuel subsidies, foreign exchange distortions, mounting debt-servicing costs, insecurity, and declining public confidence in institutions.
Tinubu defended the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate reforms, arguing that the policies were difficult but unavoidable. According to him, Nigeria had spent trillions of naira sustaining fuel subsidies and suffered heavy losses through forex arbitrage and speculative practices.
He assured Nigerians that the sacrifices made by citizens had not been in vain, saying the country had stabilised and was gradually moving forward.
Highlighting achievements of his administration, Tinubu said public finances had improved, investor confidence was increasing, and the stock market had recorded significant growth in value and market capitalisation.
The President also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects across the country, including major highways such as the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, and East-West Road, adding that rail modernisation projects were progressing to improve connectivity and trade.
In the energy sector, he said reforms had attracted fresh investments into oil and gas, while local refining capacity had improved energy security and reduced dependence on imported petroleum products.
Tinubu noted that the administration was addressing long-standing challenges in the power sector through investments in transmission infrastructure, renewable energy, and national grid improvements.
On education, he revealed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund had supported more than 1.5 million students with access to higher education, while housing initiatives under the Renewed Hope Programme had delivered thousands of homes and created jobs.
The President also emphasised investments in agriculture, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and youth empowerment, saying the government remained committed to creating opportunities for young Nigerians through technology, entrepreneurship, and technical education.
Addressing insecurity, Tinubu said security agencies had intensified operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and oil thieves, assuring Nigerians that his administration would continue efforts to improve safety nationwide.
Calling for national unity, Tinubu urged citizens to remain hopeful and committed to nation-building, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a source of strength rather than division.
“We chose reform over ruin,” the President declared, while urging Nigerians to keep faith in the country’s future despite present challenges.
The President expressed optimism that Nigeria would emerge stronger, more united, and prosperous, while pledging to ensure that the benefits of reforms become more visible in the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
