Nigeria celebrates its 65th anniversary of independence on 1 October 2025 with a national keynote address by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who placed economic recovery and self-reliance at the centre of his message. He acknowledged the difficulties caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates, but defended these reforms as essential to restoring stability and ensuring long-term growth.
Marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary of independence on 1 October 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighted encouraging signs of economic progress, pointing to a 4.23% GDP growth rate in the second quarter of 2025, the highest in four years. Inflation fell to 20.12% in August, down from over 30% in 2024. The recent GDP rebasing placed Nigeria’s nominal output at ₦372.82 trillion, capturing growth in digital, service, and informal sectors. Oil production rose to 1.68 million barrels per day, while non-oil sectors also expanded steadily. President Tinubu stressed that reforms are beginning to restore investor confidence and economic balance.
In 65 years since our Independence, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development. Our economy has experienced significant growth since 1960.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Republic of Nigeria
Despite this progress, President Tinubu acknowledged that millions of Nigerians continue to face hardship. According to the World Bank, over 129 million citizens, more than half the population live below the national poverty line. He pledged expanded social investment programmes, support for small businesses, and a focus on job creation, particularly for youth.
Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time. 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.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Republic of Nigeria
The Nigerian Head of State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged citizens to remain united and patient, reminding them that true independence is both political and economic. He urged Nigerians to stay the course while the country navigates its recovery.
