President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says Nigeria is moving from uncertainty to stability, declaring that the next phase of his administration will focus on accelerating economic growth and ensuring that the benefits of democracy are felt by citizens across the country.
Speaking in a nationwide broadcast to mark Democracy Day, the President said democracy must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, emphasising that governance should be reflected in the well-being of families, communities and businesses.
The Nigerian Leader noted that his administration remains committed to reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards and rebuilding confidence in the economy.
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He highlighted that although the journey ahead remains challenging, Nigerians have consistently demonstrated resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
Reflecting on the country’s democratic journey, President Tinubu observed that while many doubted Nigeria’s ability to sustain democracy because of its diversity, the nation’s diversity has instead become one of its greatest strengths.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.
“June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.” The Nigerian Leader explained.
He therefore called on citizens to reject division, cynicism and despair and embrace unity, hope and confidence in building a nation united by a common purpose and strengthened by its diversity.
“27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.
“Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.” He stressed.
President Tinubu identified ineffective local government administration as a major impediment to national development, noting that the destruction of grassroots governance has contributed to insecurity and limited the delivery of essential services.
“Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils.
“A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.” President Tinubu noted.
He described the current generation’s defining responsibility as securing prosperity for future generations, just as Nigeria’s founding fathers secured independence and the heroes of June 12 secured democratic rule.
“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.
“Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.” The President emphasised.
He further defended the economic reforms introduced by his administration, saying they were necessary to rescue the economy from fiscal pressures, declining investment and uncertainty.
“By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.” He said.
President Tinubu assured citizens that the reforms have begun yielding results, with improvements in domestic refining capacity helping to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
On power sector reforms, the President highlighted the implementation of the Electricity Act, which grants states better authority to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
“The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.” President Tinubu said.
He said the Presidential Power Sector Task Force is addressing the nation’s metering deficit and has been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts within the sector.
The Nigerian Leader further explained that the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has expanded off-grid and mini-grid electricity projects to underserved communities, universities, hospitals and markets across the country.
He further highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects designed to connect producers to markets, stimulate enterprise and create employment opportunities nationwide, saying “the National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over a five-year period to boost agricultural productivity, while more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises have been certified for export.”
The President also announced that non-oil exports recorded a 21 per cent increase in the past year, expressing confidence that ongoing reforms would place Nigeria on a stronger path of sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
“Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.” He added.
