Tinubu Admits Nigerians Are Suffering: ‘Millions Still Struggle For Food, School Fees, Medical Bills’ says prosperity is next

By Passman Akpos

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has passed through its own “Red Sea” following three years of difficult economic reforms, saying the country is now entering what he described as an “age of prosperity” where the focus will shift from economic restructuring to jobs, production, lower living costs and shared prosperity.

Tinubu made the declaration on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in his Independence Day address to Nigerians as the country marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.

According to the President, Nigeria’s economic situation had become “darker than ever” by 2023, with rising poverty and diminishing hope forcing his administration to take what he described as difficult but necessary decisions

He compared the Nigerian economy to a cancer patient who must endure painful treatment in order to recover, arguing that previous administrations had often relied on what he described as “morphine” instead of confronting the underlying problems.

“When this Administration assumed office, we resolved to do things differently. We chose to excise the cancer,” Tinubu said, defending the economic reforms implemented since 2023.

He acknowledged that the reforms had produced real hardship and “side effects,” but argued that the difficulties should not be confused with the underlying economic problems his administration inherited.

The President also rejected calls for a return to the former fuel-subsidy regime, describing such demands as a “siren song” and insisting that Nigeria must remain on the reform path.

‘Nigeria’s Economic Outlook Has Improved’

Tinubu claimed that three and a half years after his administration began, Nigeria’s economic outlook had improved significantly.

He said the economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, with both the oil and non-oil sectors contributing to growth.

He also claimed that oil theft had declined, inflation had fallen substantially from its peak, foreign reserves had been rebuilt and the foreign exchange market had stabilised.

According to the President, Nigeria recorded more than $6 billion in non-oil export revenue in 2025, which he described as the highest in the country’s history.

Tinubu said these developments were evidence that the reforms were beginning to produce results, adding that international observers, multilateral institutions and investors had taken note of the changes.

However, the President acknowledged that millions of Nigerians were still struggling with the cost of food, school fees, medical bills, transportation and other basic necessities.

From Reform To Prosperity

Tinubu said the central economic objective of his administration had now changed.

“For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course. Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity,” he declared.

He said prosperity would not merely be measured through GDP figures or other economic statistics but by whether ordinary Nigerians could actually experience improvements in their daily lives.

The President said his vision was for farmers to produce more at lower costs, factories to enjoy reliable electricity, businesses to access credit and young Nigerians to find productive employment.

He also promised measures aimed at reducing the cost of producing and transporting goods, including mechanised agriculture, irrigation, improved access to seeds and fertiliser, storage facilities, roads, railways and ports.

According to him, lowering production and transportation costs would eventually translate into lower prices for consumers.

Jobs, Industry And Young Nigerians

The President placed job creation and industrialisation at the centre of what he called the new phase of his administration.

He said the government would use Nigeria’s gas resources to power industries, support the revival of factories, expand digital connectivity and provide Nigerian businesses with infrastructure and financing.

Tinubu said he wanted to see more Nigerians producing goods for domestic consumption and export.

“I want to see more Nigerians making things. I want to see more Nigerian farms feeding our cities and supplying our factories. I want to see Nigerian businesses selling Nigerian goods to the whole world,” he said.

He also expressed his desire to see young Nigerians build globally competitive technology companies while creating employment opportunities within the country.

‘We Will Defeat Poverty’

The President acknowledged that millions of Nigerians could not afford to wait for the benefits of long-term economic reforms.

He said his administration would strengthen direct support for poor households and improve the National Social Register to ensure that government assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.

Tinubu also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, CREDICORP and government investments in primary healthcare, basic education and other social services as measures intended to support vulnerable Nigerians.

But he stressed that such programmes were not intended to permanently manage poverty.

“Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently. We will defeat it,” Tinubu declared.

He admitted that achieving this would take time, discipline, sustained economic growth and the creation of millions of productive opportunities.

‘We Have Passed Through Our Own Red Sea’

In one of the most striking passages of the Independence Day address, Tinubu compared Nigeria’s economic journey to the biblical story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.

“Nigeria has corrected its course. We have passed through our own Red Sea. This is not the time to look back.”

He urged Nigerians to move forward with faith in themselves and the country, saying the sacrifices made during the reform period would eventually produce rewards.

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

He described the “Promised Land” ahead as a Nigeria where prosperity would be broadly shared, children could dream beyond the circumstances of their birth and the country’s vast potential would finally be reflected in the lives of its citizens.

The President concluded by urging Nigerians to look forward rather than backward.

“Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back,” he said.

Tinubu then wished Nigerians a happy Independence Day and prayed for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The President’s speech marks a clear shift in the rhetoric of his administration: from defending the pain associated with economic reforms to promising that the next phase will be judged by whether Nigerians experience tangible improvements in jobs, prices, production, infrastructure and household welfare.