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Nigeria @65: The worst is over, hope rising for Nigeria – Tinubu

Published

3 months ago

October 1, 2025

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the country’s “worst days are over.”

He declared that his economic reforms are beginning to deliver results and that hope is rising for a more prosperous nation.

Delivering his national broadcast to mark the country’s 65th Independence anniversary, Tinubu said his administration had chosen “the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today” since coming into office in May 2023, and that Nigerians are now beginning to see tangible results.

“I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say.

“Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding.

“I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour,” the President said.

Tinubu hailed the resilience of Nigerians, saying the country had survived a civil war, military rule and political crises, and is still striving to build “a more perfect union.”

He described the 65th anniversary as a moment for reflection on the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers and the progress achieved since Independence in 1960.

The President highlighted achievements in education and healthcare, noting that Nigeria has grown from just two tertiary institutions at Independence to 274 universities, 183 polytechnics and 236 colleges of education by 2024.

Tinubu defended his economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates, which he said ended decades of distortions and rent-seeking.

According to him, these difficult decisions freed resources for investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare and social programmes.

He argued, “In resetting our country for sustainable growth, we ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority.

“Our administration has redirected the economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling money to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure.”

The President reeled out a list of 12 economic milestones achieved in the last two years and four months in office.

He said Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, the fastest in four years, while inflation had declined to 20.12 per cent, the lowest level in three years.

The President added that non-oil revenue had risen sharply, debt service costs had reduced, foreign reserves had increased to $42.03bn, and the tax-to-GDP ratio had grown to 13.5 per cent.

He also noted that Nigeria had posted trade surpluses for five consecutive quarters, with manufactured exports up by 173 per cent and non-oil exports now representing 48 per cent of total trade.

Oil production, he said, had recovered to 1.68 million barrels per day, while local refining had restarted for the first time in four decades, alongside the export of aviation fuel.

Tinubu argued that the naira had grown more stable. He also boasted of improvements in credit ratings, a booming stock market, and the Central Bank’s first interest rate cut in five years as evidence of renewed investor confidence.

The President said his government was investing heavily in security to consolidate economic gains.

“They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram terror in the North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in the South-East and banditry and kidnapping,” he said, adding that peace had returned to hundreds of communities and thousands of displaced persons had gone back home.

He also promised to prioritise food security and agricultural production to lower food costs.

“We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools our children will attend and the hospitals that will care for our people. We have to plan for the generations that will come after us,” Tinubu said.

Addressing young Nigerians, the President described them as the “greatest assets of this blessed country,” highlighting initiatives such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, which has already benefited over 500,000 students, and credit schemes like Credicorp and YouthCred that provide loans for housing, devices and resettlement.

He added that the government was pushing ahead with the $600m iDICE programme, backed by international development partners, to support the digital and creative sectors.

Under the social investment programme, Tinubu said N330bn had been disbursed to eight million households.

He also cited significant progress in transport infrastructure, including rail, roads, airports, and seaports, with major projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Eastern Rail Project underway.

Tinubu acknowledged the pain of reforms but urged Nigerians to remain patient.

“I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with some temporary pains.

“The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government.

“However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option,” he said.

The president concluded his third Independence Day address with a call for productivity and national unity, saying, “Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce.

“Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes. Finally, let all hands be on deck.

“With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.”

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea