Nigeria @66: Tinubu admits economic hardship, pledges to defeat poverty

President Bola Tinubu addressed Nigeria's economic challenges during his 66th Independence Day speech, acknowledging that many citizens continue to struggle with basic necessities like food, education, healthcare, and transportation. He emphasized that these difficulties were not solely a result of his administration's policies, but rather the consequence of decades-long issues such as low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, and failing institutions.

Tinubu assured the public that his government would not simply manage these hardships, but actively work to eradicate them and lift Nigerians out of poverty. He outlined several initiatives, including direct support for the poorest households, improvements to the National Social Register, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, and the Consumer Credit Corporation, which aims to help working Nigerians acquire essential assets without the burden of long-term savings.

The President also highlighted his administration's commitment to strengthening public services like primary healthcare and education. However, he stressed that these measures were intended as temporary supports on the path to sustained economic growth and prosperity, and not as permanent solutions. Tinubu's vision for a prosperous Nigeria includes tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens, such as affordable food, reliable power for farmers and businesses, accessible education, and productive job opportunities.

He emphasized that prosperity would be measured by the ability of people to meet their basic needs and find meaningful work, rather than just by economic indicators.