Achudume stated, “You find Nigerians excelling abroad in fields like medicine, tech, and education – showcasing their capabilities. But back home, we grapple with leadership gaps and infrastructural deficits holding us back.”
He commended the Federal Government’s Student Loan Scheme as a positive stride towards boosting educational access.
“The Federal Government’s student loan initiative is a right step that will go a long way in supporting education,” he said, adding that such programmes should not be politicised or hijacked by politicians.
“Often, when governments send money or empowerment support meant for market women and other beneficiaries, it doesn’t get to them because of politicization,” Achudume cautioned.
He also criticised the prevalent practice of vote-buying during elections, involving handouts like indomie and petty gifts.
“Nigerians deserve better than peanuts from politicians during elections – we need leaders who genuinely understand the common man’s hardships,” Apostle Achudume emphasised.
According to him, Nigeria requires environments nurturing business growth, innovation, and intellectual pursuits.
“For Nigeria to realize her giant potential, we need leadership attuned to citizens’ needs and ecosystems that empower talent,” he noted.
He called for transformative leadership focusing on grassroots realities.
“Leadership feeling the pulse of ordinary Nigerians is crucial if we’re to match Nigeria’s global footprint with domestic progress,” Achudume said.
Adron Homes Hails Nigeria at 65, Reaffirms Commitment to Nation-Building
Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Africa’s leading Pan–African real estate company, joins millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora in celebrating the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
In a goodwill message to mark the occasion, the company’s Group Managing Director, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, lauded the resilience, unity, and indomitable spirit of Nigerians, which have continued to sustain the country through six and a half decades of challenges and triumphs.
“As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, we salute the courage of our founding fathers and the collective will of Nigerians who have kept the dream of a united, prosperous, and progressive nation alive. Today is not just a reminder of our past struggles, but also a call to greater responsibility in shaping the future we all desire,” Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing said.
He further encouraged the government at all levels to continue prioritizing policies that foster sustainable economic growth, affordable housing, and infrastructure development, noting that real estate is a major driver of national development.
“At Adron Homes, we believe housing is not just a basic need but a catalyst for economic empowerment and national stability. We remain committed to complementing government efforts in bridging Nigeria’s housing deficit by making affordable, accessible, and quality homes available for all,” he added.
Over the years, Adron Homes has consistently contributed to nation-building through its massive investments in housing estates across Nigeria, job creation, empowerment programs, and community development initiatives. The company reaffirmed its readiness to do even more as the country journeys toward greater prosperity.
Adron Homes extended warm wishes to all Nigerians, urging them to remain united, hopeful, and steadfast in the pursuit of the Nigeria of our dreams.
Why NUPENG and PENGASSAN Must Stop Terrorising Nigerians By Kunle Ayo
Recent actions by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in the oil and gas sector reveal a desperate attempt by certain actors to exploit Nigerians’ sensibilities, perpetuating lawlessness, economic sabotage, and threats to national security for the benefit of a few at the expense of the broader population.
It is an affront to Nigerians’ intelligence that NUPENG and PENGASSAN, historically complicit in the deliberate and egregious degeneration of the oil and gas sector, have long acted as enablers of self-interest. These unions have been directly implicated in decades of inflicting untold hardship on ordinary Nigerians through their neglect, complicity, and collaboration with enemies of the state. Their sudden posturing as defenders of workers’ rights—when their actions have contributed to the suffering of millions—is both hypocritical and insulting.
The recent decision by NUPENG and PENGASSAN to embark on strike action aligns with their persistent assault on the foundation of Nigeria’s economy, which President Tinubu’s administration is working tirelessly to revive. This calculated move seeks to drag the nation back to the dark days of fuel scarcity, economic instability, and national embarrassment, orchestrated by a handful of Nigerians and their foreign collaborators, with NUPENG and PENGASSAN as willing participants.
To call their actions detrimental to Nigeria’s social and economic progress is an understatement. The negative impact on social services is immense, as their strikes have led to the shutdown of thermal power plants, threatening to plunge the nation into physical and economic darkness. This cripples economic and social activities, placing millions of households and small businesses at a severe disadvantage.
NUPENG and PENGASSAN have made no secret of their self-serving intentions, prioritizing a culture of impunity, primitive wealth accumulation, monopoly, and destructive behavior over patriotism.
Their actions consistently place personal gain above the needs of the nation and its citizens, undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence, independence, and economic growth.
Under the guise of unionism and workers’ rights, NUPENG and PENGASSAN have chosen to inflict undue hardship on Nigerians, rejecting platforms for constructive dialogue. Their concerns are not genuine but rather mischievous, selfish, and treasonable, opting for self-help tactics that bring untold suffering to citizens and residents instead of pursuing collaborative solutions.
The federal government’s efforts to facilitate peaceful resolutions to these disputes have been rebuffed by NUPENG and PENGASSAN, who instead escalate their campaign to promote economic instability. Blinded by self-interest, they have failed to grasp the broader implications of their actions and refused to work toward solutions that benefit Nigerians.
Nigerians are neither fools nor gullible enough to fall for their deceptive tactics. The unions’ attempt to sell a false narrative about mass layoffs at Dangote Refinery is a fraud, mirroring their own duplicity. Their efforts to mislead Nigerians for selfish ends have failed. These misguided actors, driven by corrupt motives, remain insensitive to the decades of suffering caused by oil subsidy profiteers.
For years, NUPENG and PENGASSAN remained silent during fuel scarcity crises, ignoring the plight of Nigerians who were reduced to economic servitude in one of the world’s richest oil-producing nations. Yet, they now claim to champion workers’ rights at a time when fuel prices are stabilizing, the forex market is steady, the naira is strengthening against the dollar, and inflation is declining. They suddenly find fault when fuel is widely available, governors can pay salaries and pensions, and viable competition thrives in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector, attracting foreign investment due to economic stability.
How can any sincere labour union, concerned with the welfare of its members and the nation’s economic viability, remain silent when massive fraud is perpetrated by a few citizens in collaboration with foreign actors? Billions of dollars in Nigerian funds have been laundered under fictitious pretexts by union officials, and the fraudulent fuel subsidy scheme, orchestrated through a corrupt Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has caused immense harm.
Yet, NUPENG and PENGASSAN now claim to fight for workers’ rights with a fabricated narrative.
NUPENG and PENGASSAN should be well aware of labor laws and their applications. They cannot claim ignorance that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) does not compel staff of private universities to unionize, nor does the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) force workers at private transport companies like GUO or God is Good Motors to join its union.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) does not mandate teachers in private schools to become members. Union membership is an individual’s private and exclusive right, not a mandatory or national obligation. How many times have NUPENG and PENGASSAN gone on strike to address the failures of Nigeria’s refineries despite billions spent, or to end the fuel subsidy scam?
NUPENG and PENGASSAN have no right to interfere in the internal administration of Dangote Refinery or any other private corporate entity. Their consistent role as saboteurs, aimed at derailing national progress, reveals them as stooges of sedition and terrorism. In a foolish attempt to serve their paymasters, they have declared war on the common man, making a mockery of themselves.
How does halting crude oil and gas supplies serve justice if workers are laid off?
Can self-help and blackmail assist affected staff or benefit ordinary Nigerians? Dialogue and legal avenues, not reckless actions, are the appropriate means to resolve disputes. Ironically, the processes NUPENG and PENGASSAN oppose are the very ones that have brought relief, alleviated suffering, and restored hope. These processes have stabilized fuel costs, promoted deregulation, reduced foreign interference in the oil and gas sector, and delivered numerous benefits.
We must echo the voice of Hon. Dr. Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the Federal House of Representatives, who rightly declared this affront against Dangote Refinery as an attack on national security, the economy, and the common man. NUPENG and PENGASSAN must cease acting as tools of saboteurs to derail Nigeria’s progress. They must stop making a caricature of themselves, as times have changed, and a new era of accountability has begun.
The Dangote Refinery has come to stay, driving Nigeria’s economic independence and progress through its transformative impact on the oil and gas sector. Nigerians stand united in resolute support of this vital enterprise, rejecting the sabotage of self-serving actors posing as trade unionists. With the people’s backing, Dangote Refinery will prevail against these economic adversaries, securing a future of stability and prosperity.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has expressed concern that Nigeria cannot experience real transformation without accountable leadership as the country marks its 65th Independence anniversary.
She disclosed this In her congratulatory message issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Federal Government had declared Wednesday, October 1, a public holiday to commemorate the country’s independence from Britain in 1960.
However, in a late announcement on Monday, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation disclosed that the traditional Independence Day parade would no longer be held.
In her statement, Akpoti-Uduaghan described Nigeria as a nation at a crossroads, grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and inequality, but still showing resilience through innovation and creativity.
“The Nigeria our heroes envisioned is not one divided by ethnicity, religion, or politics, but one united by shared values of justice, equity, and prosperity.
“Building such a Nigeria requires a collective will—a government accountable to its people, a citizenry committed to nation-building, and a leadership rooted in service and integrity,” she said.
Continuing, the lawmaker stressed that Independence Day should serve as a sober reminder of the vision of those who fought for freedom.
She also urged Nigerians to transform the country’s vast potential into tangible progress for future generations.
“Independence Day is more than a date etched in history. It is a reminder of the sacrifices of our founding fathers and mothers… Today, we must honour their memory not with words alone, but by carrying forward their vision of a nation that truly works for all.
“Sixty-five years on, the task before us is clear: to ensure no Nigerian is left behind and to pass on a country worthy of pride. By honouring our past, embracing the present, and marching with hope, we shall bring to life the Nigeria our heroes envisioned,” she stated.
The National Assembly had earlier unsealed the office of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
PUNCH Online understands that her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate was unsealed by the Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly, assisted by security personnel.
The office had been under lock and key since March 6, 2025, when the senator was suspended from the Red Chamber.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared Abuja one of the safest cities in Nigeria, crediting both security measures by the administration and the commitment of residents to peace and harmony.
Speaking in his Independence Day anniversary message on Wednesday, Wike commended residents for intentionally living in peace and harmony, “in spite of a few distractions.”
He stressed that Abuja’s relative calm was not accidental, but the result of deliberate efforts by government and the cooperation of citizens.
“Residents have also remained intentional about living together in peace and harmony in spite of a few distractions.
Consequently, the FCT has become one of the most peaceful places to reside in the entire country.
“This is not only due to the security measures we have put in place, but also because of zero tolerance of residents for insecurity, and their readiness to promote peace in every part of the Territory.”
While commending the capital’s record, Wike urged residents not to be complacent. He assured that his administration, working with law enforcement agencies, was committed to ensuring security and law and order at all times.
“I, therefore, appeal to all residents to go about their lawful businesses, to be watchful over their neighbourhoods and to report all suspicious movements to the law enforcement agents.”
The Minister also reminded residents that the FCT would once again set the pace for Nigeria’s election season, when it holds its Area Council elections in February 2026.
He appealed for calm, orderly campaigns and urged residents to choose leaders who had the interest of their people at heart.
“Come February 2026, the FCT will kick off the electioneering process in the country as residents head to the polls to elect new chairmen and councillors for the six area councils.
“I implore residents to go about campaigning for candidates of their choice in a peaceful and orderly manner. I also encourage everyone to come out en masse when the time comes, to vote for leaders who evidently have their interest at heart; leaders who have vision and capacity to attract development and prosperity to the people,” he said.
Wike’s comments on security in the FCT follows recent news of the death of 29-year-old Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a reporter and News anchor with Arise Television News, who died in Monday, after jumping from the third floor of her apartment building to escape armed robbers.
The Minister has pledged support for Police investigation, describing her death as tragic and unacceptable.
TJ ABBAS: MY ENCOUNTER WITH HONESTY IN PUBLIC LIFE By Philip Agbese
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, GCON, is a rare pillar of integrity in Nigeria’s governance, a leader whose resolute honesty and patriotism forge a compelling vision for national progress. As Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, he embodies the essence of the blind men and the elephant parable—each perspective distinct, yet all converging on the undeniable truth of his dedication to Nigeria’s unity and prosperity.
My encounters with him reveal a man who leads with quiet conviction; his actions reflect a commitment that prioritises the nation’s future over personal acclaim. Abbas meticulously crafts Nigeria’s economic trajectory, ensuring the budget aligns with the country’s aspirations, meets fiscal demands, addresses critical needs like infrastructure and healthcare, and builds a foundation for a thriving tomorrow.
His Legislative Agenda drives economic diversification, education reform, and transparent governance, amplified by innovations that invite public scrutiny. Through peace-building initiatives and robust oversight, Abbas delivers tangible progress—roads, schools, and opportunities—transforming communities and proving that principled leadership can inspire a nation toward a shared, prosperous future.
Rt. Hon. Abbas represents many shared truths, first as a leader patriotically committed to our progress as a nation and will never compromise it for any reason. This commitment is demonstrated by guided actions, deeply rooted in his love for this country and a desire to see it prosper. He has shown steadfast dedication to the nation’s progress, working tirelessly to ensure that the country’s interests are protected and advanced.
A man of exemplary honesty and transparency, Speaker Abbas values truth, preferring to let his actions speak for themselves rather than seeking attention. This approach has earned him the respect of his colleagues and the public. Often noted for being straightforward to the core, Rt. Hon. Abbas is known for his uncompromising approach to governance. He is a man of his word, and his commitment to honesty and integrity is evident in all his dealings.An indisputably visionary leader and a model pacesetter, Rt. Hon. Abbas, both as Speaker and as a citizen, displays characteristics rooted in honesty and a singular commitment to the peace and advancement of the country.
As Speaker, his clear vision for Nigeria’s development, focusing on legislative excellence, has been instrumental in sponsoring numerous bills that aim to improve the lives of Nigerians, including those related to education, healthcare, and economic development, while his determination to promote constituency development has redefined the importance of constituency projects, ensuring government presence is felt in various communities across the country and positively changing narratives, resonating his steadfast commitment to peace, national development, and the promotion of unity and understanding among Nigerians.
The House of Representatives, under the effective watch of Rt. Hon. Abbas, bears glowing testimonies of his capacity, as it has outlined a model Legislative Agenda focused on driving progress, prosperity, and inclusivity across Nigeria. The agenda’s key mandates, both unprecedented and innovative, prioritise economic empowerment and diversification, incentivising investments in non-oil sectors like agriculture, technology, and renewable energy to reduce dependence on oil exports and create jobs; infrastructure development to improve connectivity and economic opportunities; and education and human capital development to drive innovation and economic growth.
Other priorities include Healthcare for All, to improve access to quality healthcare services, and transparent Governance and Accountability, to ensure effective use of public resources, alongside security and safety measures to protect persons and properties. Indeed, these ambitious goals have met significant progress, though not without surmountable challenges, confronted with resilience, pragmatism, and patriotism.
For instance, Rt. Hon. Abbas has prioritised accountability and effective oversight, strengthening the audit framework to prevent mismanagement and corruption and ensuring the Assembly’s independence in checking the executive arm of government. With innovative initiatives like the Legislative Agenda Promise Tracker, the Assembly’s progress can be actively monitored, promoting transparency and accountability in governance, setting a robust stage for achieving the laudable goals of the House of Representatives.
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen’s drive to strengthen the legislative process and ensure effective law-making, coupled with strong advocacy for constituents’ voices, has positively impacted national development, contributing to the country’s growth through informed decision-making. As a citizen, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen demonstrates ingrained qualities like patriotism and honesty, shaping the lives of those around him and impacting society positively.
His deep affection and loyalty to the nation, its people, and institutions are reflected through prioritising the nation’s well-being and prosperity, alongside a strong sense of transparency, responsibility, and accountability. A man of honest disposition, Rt. Hon. Abbas exhibits a strong moral code and truthfulness in words and actions, building trust and credibility, fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose, and promoting national unity and cohesion, propelling the nation toward more effective and responsible governance where equality, justice, national progress, and general well-being are non-negotiable.
Today, political leaders are more accountable, citizens’ quality of life is improving with better access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, and an environment of equality, justice, and human rights prevails. Nigerians can now work toward a common goal of national development and prosperity, encouraging active participation in the democratic process, all because the visions of a Parliamentary Speaker and the citizens align. Through Speaker Abbas’s leadership and promotion of meditative roles, there is practical evidence of peace and advancement.
Legislative interventions have established programs for dialogue and mediation, with communities organised to promote unity and understanding among diverse groups, and educational programs teaching peace-building, tolerance, and conflict resolution skills. These efforts have led to national advancements, with funds, energy, and time, once spent on insecurity, now invested in infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and public transportation to improve connectivity and economic opportunities, as well as entrepreneurship, job creation, and skills training programs to boost economic growth and reduce poverty, alongside access to quality healthcare, education, and social welfare programs improving citizens’ well-being.
Indeed, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is a shining example of honesty and patriotism in public life. As Speaker, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the progress and development of our nation. His leadership style is characterised by transparency, inclusivity, and a strong sense of responsibility. Rt. Hon. Abbas’s legacy as a leader is built on his honesty, integrity, and dedication to public service. His contributions to the nation’s development will be remembered by generations to come. As a role model, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas inspires others to emulate his values and principles, ensuring a brighter future for all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion, or creed.
Agbese LLB[UK], LLM[UK], MBA [UK] is the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Reps.
The US government began shutting down on Wednesday after lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to break a budget impasse during acrimonious talks that hinged on Democratic demands for health care funding.
Republicans and Democrats immediately blamed each other for the deadlock that will impact hundreds of thousands of government workers and the millions of Americans who use the services they provide.
The shutdown, which will stop work at multiple federal departments and agencies, comes as deep partisan divisions in Washington have raised fears over what will be the length and consequences of the halt.
Trump threatened to punish Democrats and their voters by targeting progressive priorities and forcing mass public sector job cuts during the first stoppage since the one during his previous term.
“So we’d be laying off a lot of people that are going to be very affected. And they’re Democrats, they’re going to be Democrats,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
He said a “lot of good can come down from shutdowns,” and suggested he would use the pause to “get rid of a lot of things we didn’t want, and they’d be Democrat things.”
Government operations began grinding to a halt at 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on Wednesday, after a frenetic but ultimately failed bid in the Senate to rubber-stamp a short-term funding resolution already approved by the House of Representatives.
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer posted a video on social media that showed a clock ticking down to midnight over an image of the US Capitol building.
“The Republican shutdown has just begun because Republicans wouldn’t protect America’s health care,” he said. “We are going to keep fighting for the American people.”
The shutdown will not affect vital functions like the Postal Service, the military and welfare programs like Social Security and food stamps.
But up to 750,000 workers could be sent home each day and would not be paid until the shutdown was over, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
This is the first shutdown since the longest one in US history — lasting 35 days — almost seven years ago during Trump’s previous term.
Hopes of a compromise had been hanging by a thread since Monday, when a last-gasp meeting at the White House yielded no progress.
The gridlocked Congress regularly runs into deadlines to agree on spending plans, and the negotiations are invariably fraught. But Congress usually avoids them ending in shutdowns.
Democrats, in the minority in both chambers of Congress, have been seeking to flex their rare leverage over the federal government eight months into Trump’s second presidency, that has seen entire government agencies dismantled.
– How long? –
Trump’s threat of new job cuts added to anxieties in the federal workforce, sparked by large-scale firings orchestrated by tycoon Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X after the shutdown began to ask, “How long will Chuck Schumer let this pain go on — for his own selfish reasons?”
“Results: Moms and kids now lose WIC nutrition. Veterans lose health care and suicide prevention programs. FEMA has shortfalls during hurricane season. Soldiers and TSA agents go UNPAID,” Johnson wrote.
Former Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris wrote on X that the Republicans were in charge of the White House and both houses of Congress.
“This is their shutdown,” ex-vice president Harris wrote.
The 100-member Senate requires government funding bills to receive 60 votes — seven more than the Republicans control.
Republicans had proposed to extend current funding until late November, pending negotiations on a longer-term spending plan.
But Democrats wanted to see hundreds of billions of dollars in health care spending restored, particularly in the Obamacare health insurance program for low-income households, which the Trump administration is likely to eliminate.
Almost all Senate Democrats voted against a House-passed, seven-week stopgap funding measure hours ahead of the midnight deadline.
It remains unclear how long the shutdown will last.
The federal government has shuttered 21 times since 1976, when Congress enacted the modern-day budget process.
The longest began on December 22, 2018, when Democrats and Trump found themselves at an impasse over $5.7 billion that the president was demanding for a border wall during his first term.
The Federal Government has said the Dangote Group will redeploy staff earlier disengaged from its refinery operations, following the resolution of its dispute with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
The FG also announced that the redeployed staff will not suffer any loss of pay due to the redeployment.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said, “After examining the procedure used in the disengagement of workers, the meeting agreed that the management of Dangote Group shall immediately begin the process of redeploying the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.
“No worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse between Dangote and PENGASSAN.”
He further explained that both sides had reached a compromise, noting that “PENGASSAN agreed to start the process of calling off the strike. Both parties agreed to this understanding in good faith.”
The minister also stressed that “unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria, and this right should be respected.”
The conciliation meetings followed a breakdown in earlier talks between the refinery management and PENGASSAN, which had ended in a deadlock on Monday.
The dispute began after PENGASSAN raised concerns over what it described as mass transfers and dismissals of union members by Dangote’s refinery management.
The union also accused the company of replacing some Nigerian staff with foreign workers, arguing that these actions violated labour laws and undermined local employment rights.
The refinery’s management, however, denied these allegations, stating that the workforce reorganization was due to operational requirements and not related to union activities.
The standoff escalated when the union took industrial action by halting gas and crude oil supplies to the refinery, raising alarm over potential disruptions to the nation’s energy supply and economic stability.
The Federal Government intervened, citing the risk of “adverse effects on the economy and energy security,” and convened high-level talks to resolve the impasse.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said Nigeria’s economy had recorded significant improvements in foreign reserves, tax revenues, and trade balance, describing the gains as proof of resilience and diversification.
In his Independence Day broadcast to mark the country’s 65th anniversary, the President said, “We have a stronger foreign Reserve position than three years ago. Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September — the highest since 2019.”
He explained that fiscal reforms were yielding results, with the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio improving in recent months.
“Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent. The ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners,” he said.
Tinubu also pointed to trade as an area of positive turnaround. “We are now a Net Exporter: Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home,” he said.
According to him, the progress marks the country’s gradual shift from overdependence on oil.
“Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ₦7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%. Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas,” Tinubu stated.
PUNCH Online reports that in 2022, reserves fell by $3.43 billion.
That decline reflected constraints from low oil production, capital flight, falling export earnings, and persistent external obligations.
President Bola Tinubu has hailed Nigeria’s progress in key sectors such as healthcare, technology, infrastructure, and defence since gaining independence 65 years ago, saying the country has recorded “a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life.”
The President stated this in his national broadcast on Wednesday to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
While acknowledging that the nation has faced major trials, Tinubu said the journey since 1960 has also been marked by resilience and remarkable achievements.
“Although it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress. Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960,” he said.
He noted that at independence, Nigeria had only two tertiary institutions, the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology, compared to the 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education spread across the country today.
“We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence, in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others,” Tinubu added.
The President described the nation’s endurance through crises, including the civil war, military rule, and recurring political upheavals, as proof of its determination to survive and thrive.
“For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived. While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them,” he declared.
Nigeria celebrated its 65th Independence Anniversary on 1 October 2025, with Tinubu delivering his third anniversary address since assuming office in May 2023.
Unlike previous years, the Federal Government cancelled the traditional military parade in Abuja, citing cost-saving and logistical reasons.
Tinubu’s remarks come at a time of renewed debate over his administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange unification, which have triggered inflation and hardship for many citizens.
While defending the reforms as necessary for long-term stability, the President used the anniversary broadcast to highlight the country’s broader achievements in nation-building since 1960, framing Nigeria as a nation that has endured challenges but continues to make progress.
