‘We’re Racing Against Time’: Full Text of President Tinubu’s 65th Independence Day Speech
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday addressed Nigerians to mark the country’s 65th Independence anniversary, delivering a wide-ranging speech that reflected on the nation’s past, outlined his administration’s economic and social reforms, and offered a message of hope for the future. Tinubu recalled the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers — including Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti — who envisioned a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria. He noted that, despite challenges such as civil war, dictatorship, and political crises, the country had made significant progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic growth since 1960. The president stressed that his administration inherited a near-collapsed economy but chose the “path of reform” over “business as usual.” He highlighted key policy moves, including ending fuel subsidies, unifying foreign exchange rates, and investing in infrastructure, agriculture, and social programmes. […]