Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, will on Sunday hold an “A New Nigeria Global Digital Town Hall” to engage Nigerians at home and abroad on issues surrounding the protection of votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, announced the engagement in a statement titled “Protecting Every Vote. Winning 2027. Together.”

He said the town hall would provide an opportunity to address concerns about how votes could be protected in 2027 and what he described as the path to victory.

“My fellow Nigerians at home and abroad,

“Over the past months, wherever I go and in your many messages, two questions keep coming up: How will our votes be protected in 2027? And how will we win?

“These are fair questions, and you deserve direct answers.

“This Sunday, I will answer you directly, and more importantly, listen to you. I will join you for A New Nigeria Global Digital Town Hall. We will speak plainly about protecting every vote and the path to victory.”

Obi said the engagement would not only be about addressing Nigerians but also listening to their concerns, insights and strategies.

“I want to hear your concerns, your insights and your strategies. This movement has always been built by you, and your ideas will shape what we do next,” he said.

The town hall is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. WAT/GMT, 2 p.m. EST and 12 p.m. MST.

Attendance is by registration through vote4obi.com.

KADUNA, Nigeria (NPA) — Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, has granted clemency to 27 inmates in correctional facilities across the state as part of measures he said were aimed at promoting a humane justice system, rehabilitation and the reintegration of deserving individuals into society.

The governor, in a statement issued on Friday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, said the clemency included the release of eligible inmates and the settlement of fines and compensation for others.

“In commemoration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, I have exercised my prerogative of mercy to grant clemency to 27 inmates in correctional facilities across Kaduna State,” he said.

Sani said the intervention would enable beneficiaries to regain their freedom, reunite with their families and embrace the responsibilities of a fresh beginning.

“Since assuming office, we have extended clemency to more than 400 inmates and committed over ₦200 million to the payment of fines and compensation for victims,” he said.

The governor said the figures represented individuals, families awaiting reunion and communities whose wellbeing depended on the successful reintegration of those returning to them.

He said justice must protect society, respect the interests of victims and preserve the possibility of redemption.

“Mercy, exercised with discernment, strengthens that purpose by recognising the capacity for change and making room for renewal,” he said.

Sani said the decisions followed established processes, with due regard for accountability, rehabilitation and the obligations accompanying freedom.

He added that the settlement of fines and compensation gave the interventions a restorative dimension by addressing barriers to liberty while recognising the need for redress.

“To the beneficiaries, I urge you to honour this opportunity through responsible conduct, honest endeavour and respect for the rights of others,” he said.

“Let your return bring reassurance to your families and renewed confidence to your communities.”

The governor said Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary should also serve as an opportunity to give practical meaning to freedom through institutions that uphold dignity and policies that restore hope.

“Our shared humanity places upon us a duty to recognise those who deserve another chance and support their journey towards responsible citizenship,” he said.

Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening rehabilitation, encouraging reconciliation and helping deserving individuals return to society with purpose, dignity and the resolve to contribute meaningfully to the development of Kaduna State and Nigeria.

MAKURDI, Nigeria (NPA) — Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has returned to Nigeria after a trip to the United States, where he participated in the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York and held other international engagements.

The governor said his trip also provided an opportunity to showcase Benue State’s potential, engage with investors and development partners, and open new opportunities for the people of the state.

In a statement he personally issued on Friday, Alia said he returned with “renewed energy, fresh perspectives and stronger partnerships” for the continued development of Benue.

“Today, I return home from my international engagements, including participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, with renewed energy, fresh perspectives and stronger partnerships for the continued development of our dear Benue State,” he said.

“On the global stage, I showcased the immense potential of Benue, engaged with investors, development partners and other stakeholders, and opened new doors of opportunity for our people.

“Building a New Benue is a journey I am deeply intentional about, and I therefore call on our people, investors, development partners and every lover of sustainable development to join hands with us in building the Benue we all desire.”

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has questioned the level of progress outlined by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his Independence Day address, arguing that millions of Nigerians are still struggling with the rising cost of living.

In a statement reacting to the President’s address, the former Vice-President said Tinubu had declared the beginning of an “age of prosperity”, but argued that the reality facing many Nigerians was different.

Under the heading, “Bola Tinubu calls it prosperity, but Nigerians can barely afford to live,” Atiku said millions of Nigerians, 66 years after independence, were still struggling to afford basic necessities, including food, healthcare and transportation.

“My fellow Nigerians, sixty-six years after independence, millions are fighting for things a free country should never put beyond their reach: food on the table, a wage that lasts the month, and a safe journey home,” he said.

Atiku alleged that families were skipping meals, delaying medical treatment and borrowing money to survive until payday, while the government continued to ask Nigerians for more patience and sacrifice.

He criticised the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the government had failed to provide adequate protection for families affected by the resulting economic shock.

“Tinubu removed fuel subsidy without credible protection for the families who would bear the shock. He promised the savings would benefit Nigerians. Three years later, the pain has an address in every home. Bola, where is the benefit?” he asked.

On insecurity, Atiku said armed groups had killed thousands and displaced families from their communities, arguing that affordability and security remained two of the most important concerns for Nigerians.

“A speech about prosperity is not prosperity,” he said.

Atiku challenges Tinubu over prosperity claim

Atiku also challenged the President to demonstrate how the claimed economic progress had translated into improved living conditions.

“Today, Tinubu declared that the ‘age of prosperity’ has begun. A President may announce a new chapter in a speech. He cannot announce food onto a family’s table or money into a worker’s pocket,” he said.

He cited changes in the purchasing power of wages and the prices of basic commodities to support his argument.

According to Atiku, a ₦30,000 minimum wage in April 2023 could buy about 118 litres of petrol, while ₦70,000 could buy about 50 litres at the time of his statement.

He also cited an increase in the average price of an egg from about ₦88 in April 2023 to ₦261 in May 2026, while saying a sliced loaf of bread that cost about ₦500 previously now cost about ₦2,000 for a smaller loaf.

“A slower rise in prices does not restore what families have lost. Growth must improve lives; it cannot be a certificate of success government awards itself while citizens struggle to survive,” Atiku said.

He added: “If 2023 was the illness, why does your ‘cure’ buy less?”

Atiku proposes production subsidy, demands accountability

Atiku said an ADC-led administration would prioritise making basic necessities more affordable, working with his running mate and other partners in the party.

He proposed a capped and budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria, including modular refineries, while imported petrol would not qualify.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would be designed to ensure that the benefit reached consumers through lower pump prices, with costs and payments published and independently audited.

Atiku also raised concerns over Nigeria’s public debt, citing a figure of ₦166.79 trillion as of the end of June.

“Before borrowing another dollar in the people’s name, government must name the projects, show what they cost, and say who benefited and who was paid,” he said.

He also challenged the government to publish details of the promised reduction in transport fares from October 1, including the affected routes, previous and new fares and the number of beneficiaries.

“Nigerians cannot board an announcement,” he said.

“Produce here. Refine here. Create jobs here. Pay less here.”

Atiku promises different political and economic course

Atiku said an ADC administration would place affordability and protection of lives at the centre of government policy.

“From my first day in office, I will put affordability and the protection of life at the centre of government. We will begin bringing down the costs of food, fuel and power, improve access to healthcare and education, and restore security to communities living in fear,” he said.

He also linked economic reform to political freedoms, saying Nigerians should be free to question their leaders, organise peacefully and demand political change.

“Our independence also demands political freedom. Nigerians must be free to question their leaders, organise peacefully and demand change. A political slogan on a shirt must never become a reason to imprison a Nigerian,” he said.

On elections, Atiku said he would respect the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), support prompt publication of results from polling units and enforce penalties against vote-buying and electoral malpractice regardless of political affiliation.

“I will respect INEC’s independence, support prompt publication of results from every polling unit, and insist that anyone caught buying votes or changing results faces the law, even if that person belongs to my party,” he said.

Atiku concluded by urging Nigerians to use their votes to determine the country’s political direction in the 2027 elections.

“Our founders did not win sovereignty so that a few could prosper while millions merely survive. Through the peaceful power of our votes, we can choose a different course,” he said.

He ended with a direct political call: “Tinubu must go.”

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has said the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state calls for responsibility not only to remember its journey, but also to build the future to be bequeathed to the next generation.

Nwifuru stated this in a message marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and Ebonyi State’s 30 years of statehood, saying the milestone provided an opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate progress and renew commitment to a greater future.

“As we celebrate 66 years of Nigeria’s independence and 30 years of Ebonyi State, let us renew our faith in our nation, our State and in the possibilities that lie ahead,” he said.

The governor said the creation of Ebonyi 30 years ago was the product of the aspirations, sacrifices and determination of its founding fathers and mothers.

“Thirty years ago, Ebonyi was created from the aspirations, sacrifices and determination of our founding fathers and mothers. From our beginnings, we have demonstrated resilience, courage and an unwavering determination to build a State where our people can thrive.

“As we celebrate 30 years of statehood, our responsibility is not only to remember where we came from, but to build the future we want to bequeath to the next generation. This conviction has continued to guide our administration.

“In the last three years, we have made significant investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, human capital development, security and industrialisation.”

On education, Nwifuru said his administration had constructed more than 45 model 22-classroom blocks across the 13 Local Government Areas, alongside over 50 12-classroom blocks and other educational interventions.

He said the government had also expanded scholarship opportunities for young people within and outside Nigeria, strengthened Ebonyi State University and advanced the development of new institutions, including the University of ICT, Oferekpe Agbaja, and the University of Aeronautic Engineering.

“Across the State, we have continued the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of roads and other critical infrastructure, while advancing the VANCO Flyover and Tunnel and strengthening the capacity of our Ministry of Works,” the governor said.

On healthcare, Nwifuru said the administration had invested in infrastructure, medical equipment, personnel, health insurance and emergency response, while expanding access to healthcare for vulnerable citizens, pregnant women, children and other groups.

He also said the state had sustained the payment of the ₦90,000 minimum wage, cleared pension and gratuity arrears inherited from the creation of the state and improved workers’ welfare.

“Our industrialisation drive is equally gathering momentum. Work has commenced on the Abakaliki Cement Company, an important step in our determination to create jobs, expand economic opportunities and build a stronger productive base for Ebonyi,” he said.

Nwifuru acknowledged that the state’s development journey was ongoing, saying the task was to continue building a state where education creates opportunities, infrastructure drives prosperity, healthcare protects lives, industries create jobs and institutions uphold justice.

“The task before us is to continue building a State where education creates opportunity, infrastructure drives prosperity, healthcare protects lives, industries create jobs, institutions uphold justice, and every Ebonyian has a stake in our collective future,” he said.

The governor expressed appreciation to members of the National Assembly, the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, members of the State Executive Council, traditional and religious leaders, elders, women, youths and the people of Ebonyi State for their continued support.

He particularly acknowledged distinguished Ebonyians who had served the state and country, including former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON.

Nwifuru also commended former governors of the state — Rtd. Navy Capt. Walter Feghabor, CP Simeon Oduoye, Sen. Sam Egwu, Chief Martin Elechi and Sen. David Nweze Umahi — for their contributions to the development of Ebonyi.

He appreciated his Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, for her “diligence and astuteness”, and his wife, Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, for her commitment to the welfare of women, children and vulnerable members of society.

Nwifuru equally expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his administration’s support for Ebonyi State and continued partnership in building a stronger Nigeria.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Obidient Movement, a political support group aligned with Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, has accused the Nigeria Police Force of using its powers to suppress opposition activities following the disruption of an Independence Day march in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The movement, in a statement signed by its Media and Communications Directorate and titled “Democracy in Chains: This Foolish Provocation by the APC and Nigeria Police Must Be Unveiled,” alleged that the police had colluded with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate opposition supporters.

The group said the reported arrest and dispersal of its members during the planned march amounted to an infringement on citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.

It argued that citizens exercising constitutional rights should be protected by the police rather than subjected to intimidation, harassment or arrest.

The movement accused the police of acting as an instrument of political oppression and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its coordinators and other members in custody.

It also called for an end to what it described as intimidation and harassment of members of the Obidient Movement and other opposition groups.

The group said the incident raised concerns about what it described as selective policing and warned that continued restrictions on peaceful political activities could deepen public frustration.

The movement further said it would mobilise its members and supporters for wider protests if the authorities failed to address its demands, while insisting that its commitment to peaceful political engagement should not be mistaken for weakness.

“Democracy cannot survive where peaceful protesters are treated as criminals. The APC and the Nigeria Police must end this foolish provocation immediately,” the statement said.

Police cite security concerns

The development followed a directive by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command ordering political parties, groups and associations to reschedule rallies, meetings and processions planned for Oct. 1.

The command said the directive was based on intelligence indicating that some individuals could exploit political activities to cause disturbances and threaten public peace. It also cited concerns about the ability of security personnel to manage large gatherings.

Police subsequently arrested eight people during the attempted Uyo march, according to the command, which said the suspects were being investigated for allegedly engaging in acts capable of causing a breach of public peace and disregarding lawful security directives.

The police denied reports that firearms were discharged during the operation and said no shooting incident was recorded.

The Obidient Movement, however, maintained that the march was peaceful and questioned the decision to stop the event, saying organisers had already invested more than N20 million in mobilisation and logistics across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas.

The confrontation has renewed debate over how security concerns should be balanced with citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to use the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary for honest reflection on the nation’s progress, challenges and direction.

Obi made the call in his Independence Day address titled “Nigeria at 66: Looking Back, Looking Forward,” saying the anniversary should go beyond celebration and provide an opportunity to assess where Nigeria stands and whether the country is moving towards the vision of its founding fathers.

He said every serious nation must continually ask three fundamental questions: Where are we today? Where do we want to be? How do we get from where we are to where we want to be?

According to Obi, the questions are particularly important given what he described as worsening challenges despite the promises made by the APC-led government in 2023.

He listed poverty, out-of-school children, insecurity, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, food insecurity, infant and maternal mortality, youth unemployment and underemployment, drug abuse and low life expectancy among the challenges confronting the country.

Obi cited figures which he said showed more than 140 million Nigerians living in poverty and severe hardship, more than 18 million children out of school and more than 35 million young people unemployed or underemployed.

He also claimed that more than 40 million Nigerians could face extreme hunger by the end of 2026, while describing Nigeria as “the worst place to be born” in relation to infant and maternal mortality.

The NDC candidate said the country’s challenges could not be attributed to a lack of resources, arguing that Nigeria’s major problem was the failure to translate its human and natural resources into human development, productivity, security and shared prosperity.

Obi referred to his recent two-day visit to Sokoto State with his running mate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, where he said they consulted residents on insecurity, out-of-school children, poverty, youth unemployment and drug abuse.

He said their visit to the Internally Displaced Persons camp at Ramin Kura in Sokoto metropolis was particularly troubling, with thousands of women and children, according to him, living in difficult conditions and lacking adequate access to education and basic healthcare.

“These are Nigerians who should be living in their communities, going to school, farming their land, conducting their businesses and contributing to the economy. Instead, they live as displaced persons in their own country,” Obi said.

He described the situation in Ramin Kura as a reflection of hardship experienced in other parts of the country and called for changes in the way Nigeria is governed.

“My message today is not one of despair. It is a message of hope, determination and responsibility. I dare to proclaim with full assurance that a new Nigeria is possible,” he said.

Obi said that, if elected president, he would make governance measurable, accountable and focused on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians, adding that citizens would begin to see what he described as tangible results within the first year of his administration.

He pledged to prioritise security, saying his administration would work to enable farmers to return safely to their farms, children to return to school and businesses to operate without fear.

He also promised to work towards the safe and dignified return of Nigerians displaced by insecurity to their communities.

On the economy, Obi said he would seek to move Nigeria from what he described as a consumption-driven economy to a productive economy focused on job creation, agriculture, manufacturing, human capital development and enterprise.

He identified education, healthcare, security and productive enterprise as priorities, describing them as foundations of a functioning nation.

Obi also pledged to lead by example, saying he would spend his holidays in different parts of Nigeria rather than outside the country if elected president.

“My holidays will be spent in Zamfara State; Borno State; Kwara State; Ebonyi State; Edo State; Ekiti State and other Nigerian States,” he said.

He said the purpose would be to enable him to continue seeing Nigeria, understand the challenges facing citizens and engage directly with Nigerians.

Obi pledged to build what he described as a secure, united and productive Nigeria governed with competence, accountability and justice, where children have access to education, mothers can access healthcare, farmers can return safely to their farms and young people can find opportunities to work and prosper.

He urged Nigerians to demand accountability from those entrusted with public office, saying national development could not be achieved through prayers and promises alone.

“On this sixty-sixth Independence Anniversary, let us look back with gratitude, look around us with honesty, and look forward with courage,” Obi said.

“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by prayers alone, nor by promises alone. It will be built by leadership that understands that public office is a sacred trust, by citizens who demand accountability, and by all of us who refuse to accept failure as our destiny.”

He concluded by calling for the building of what he described as a “new and productive Nigeria” and prayed for God’s blessings on the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has urged residents to protect the peace the state has worked to regain and ensure that political campaigns remain peaceful as the 2027 election season approaches.

Zulum made the call in his Independence Day message to the people of Borno and Nigerians as the country marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.

The governor paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers and other leaders who, he said, sacrificed for the unity, growth and development of the country through more than six decades of challenges.

“As we celebrate 66 years of nationhood, we honour our founding fathers and all the leaders who gave their lives for the unity, growth and development of Nigeria, despite the trials our country has endured,” Zulum said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating peace, protecting citizens’ rights, strengthening the foundation for younger generations and ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

“About two million of our people have returned to their communities, and we are working to resettle more. We must not allow a few unpatriotic people to derail this hard-earned peace,” he said.

Zulum said his administration had invested in security, human capital development, infrastructure, agriculture, resettlement and reconstruction, with more than 1,500 clusters of projects executed across the state’s 27 local government areas over the past seven years.

He attributed the improved security situation to the combined efforts of security personnel, volunteers, traditional, community and religious leaders, as well as the resilience of Borno residents.

“The improved security we enjoy today is the result of the collective efforts of our gallant security personnel, volunteers, traditional, community and religious leaders and, above all, the resilient people of Borno,” he said.

The governor said more than 30,000 homes, schools, clinics and other public facilities destroyed during the insurgency had been rebuilt, while efforts continued to resettle more displaced persons.

On education, Zulum said the number of functional secondary schools had increased from 34 in 2019 to 129 in 2026, while enrolment had risen to 1.8 million children. He added that the government was also prioritising digital and vocational education and expanding the teaching workforce.

He said his administration had also invested in agriculture to support year-round farming, strengthened the health system and expanded access to healthcare for vulnerable residents through the state contributory health scheme.

Zulum said the government was opening up business and economic opportunities in sectors where Borno had comparative advantages as part of efforts to drive post-conflict recovery.

“Borno is now an investment destination because of its strategic location. We are unlocking opportunities that will drive our post-conflict recovery,” he said.

The governor urged residents to uphold unity and peaceful coexistence, reject violence and respect the rule of law.

“As the political season sets in, let us conduct our campaigns without rancour, so we do not undermine the relative peace and stability our state now enjoys,” he said.

Zulum thanked the people of Borno for their continued support and pledged to sustain his administration’s development efforts until the end of his tenure.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated a new cohort of Youth Ambassadors as part of efforts to strengthen its engagement with young Nigerians and promote informed, peaceful and responsible participation in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The investiture ceremony brought together National Commissioners, senior officials of the Commission, representatives of government agencies, development partners, returning Youth Ambassadors and newly selected ambassadors.

Welcoming participants, the Chairman of the Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Prof. Kunle Ajayi, described the initiative as a platform for strengthening the relationship between INEC and young Nigerians, whom he identified as an important constituency in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Ajayi said the appointment of the Youth Ambassadors was not merely the conferment of a title but a mandate carrying responsibility.

He urged the ambassadors to use their influence to strengthen electoral participation, promote peaceful conduct and ensure that young Nigerians have access to accurate information about the electoral process.

Representing the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, at the ceremony, National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus said the Commission recognised the leadership, influence and capacity of the new Youth Ambassadors to engage other young Nigerians.

She said Nigeria’s large youth population had significant implications for democracy and elections, adding that the numerical strength of young Nigerians could only become meaningful when matched by informed, organised and responsible participation.

Gumus urged the ambassadors to go beyond encouraging young Nigerians to vote and instead listen to the reasons for disengagement from the electoral process, including lack of information, distrust, political frustration, previous experiences and misunderstanding of electoral procedures.

She also charged them to help address misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media, urging them to adopt the principle: “Verify before you amplify.”

The INEC representative warned against the manipulation of young people for electoral violence, saying young Nigerians recruited into violent activities often become victims through death, injuries, arrest and the destruction of their future.

“Do not allow anyone to use your youth against your future,” she said, stressing that political competition should never require young Nigerians to fight, destroy or kill one another.

Gumus further encouraged the ambassadors to promote constructive engagement between young voters, political parties and candidates by encouraging young Nigerians to ask questions about issues affecting their lives, including employment, education, security, economic opportunities and skills development.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria has passed through its “own Red Sea” following difficult economic reforms, declaring that the country is now entering an era focused on shared and widespread prosperity.

Tinubu stated this in his 2026 Independence Day national address, themed “From Reforms to Prosperity,” in which he defended his administration’s economic reforms and said they had confronted, rather than created, the weaknesses in the Nigerian economy.

The President said the removal of fuel subsidy was among the difficult measures undertaken by his administration, describing calls to reverse the policy as a return to what he termed the “abuse of addictive subsidies.”

He said Nigeria’s economic outlook had improved three and a half years into his administration, claiming that the economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, while both the oil and non-oil sectors contributed to what he described as a period of stable growth.

Tinubu also cited lower oil theft, a substantial decline in inflation from its peak, rebuilt foreign reserves and greater stability in the foreign exchange market as indicators of improvement.

He further said Nigeria recorded its highest-ever revenue from non-oil exports in 2025, exceeding $6 billion, describing the figure as evidence of increased activity by Nigerian businesses.

The President said the focus of his administration had now shifted from correcting the country’s economic course to delivering broader prosperity.

“When I speak of prosperity, I do not speak merely of a larger economy, abstract numbers or better statistics,” Tinubu said, adding that his vision was a Nigeria where farmers could produce safely and profitably, factories had reliable power, businesses could access credit and young people could find productive work.

He identified reducing the cost of living as a priority, saying the government would seek to achieve this by lowering the cost of producing and transporting goods.

According to him, the government would expand mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improve access to seeds and fertiliser, increase mechanisation, invest in storage and transportation, and continue developing roads, railways and ports linking farms and factories to markets.

Tinubu also said his administration would place jobs, enterprise and industrial growth at the centre of its policies, including using gas to power industries, supporting the revival of factories, expanding digital connectivity and investing in skills and infrastructure.

He said the government would also strengthen social support for vulnerable Nigerians through programmes including the National Social Register, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and CREDICORP, while working with state and local governments to improve primary healthcare, basic education and other essential services.

The President acknowledged that millions of Nigerians continued to face difficulties meeting basic needs, saying their challenges were the result of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure and limited opportunities.

“We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course,” he said.

Tinubu said the government’s objective was not merely to manage poverty but to defeat it through sustained economic growth and the creation of productive opportunities.

He declared that the country had reached a new phase after years of economic reforms.

“The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,” he said.

The President urged Nigerians to remain united and look ahead, saying: “Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back.”

He described the destination as a Nigeria of greater abundance and opportunity, where prosperity would be broadly shared and children could aspire beyond the circumstances of their birth.