Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to remain patriotic and prioritize peace, unity, and justice above political interests as the country enters another electoral season. In an Independence Day message shared on his social media platform, Jonathan reflected on Nigeria's journey since gaining independence from Britain in 1960. He noted that the country had overcome several challenges through the resilience and determination of its citizens. Jonathan emphasized the importance of collective resilience in the face of adversity.
Jonathan highlighted Nigeria's significant opportunities ahead, which could be achieved through the proper harnessing of its human and natural resources. He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to the country despite the difficulties facing the nation. The former president also drew attention to the next electoral season, saying it would provide an important test of Nigeria's democratic maturity. He emphasized the need for citizens to prioritize actions that safeguard peace, unity, and justice.
The former president called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to remain courageous and hopeful about the future while contributing to the development of the country. He stressed that the responsibility of building a better Nigeria did not rest on government alone, but on citizens and leaders as well. Jonathan urged leaders at all levels to demonstrate responsibility and patriotism as Nigeria confronts its social and economic challenges. He emphasized the need for greater emphasis on personal sacrifice, good governance, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
Jonathan also urged Nigerians to show greater dedication to national service and work collectively towards building a peaceful, secure, and equitable society. He emphasized the need for collective action to address the challenges confronting the country. The former president's message comes as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence. Jonathan's statement was shared on his social media platform on October 1, 2026.
In a separate address, President Bola Tinubu warned Nigerians against politicians promising to restore the petrol subsidy. Tinubu argued that such a move would undermine the economic reforms introduced by his administration. He defended the removal of the petrol subsidy and cautioned Nigerians against calls to reverse the policy. The president emphasized that his administration's reforms were designed to address structural weaknesses that had accumulated over several years.
President Tinubu highlighted economic growth, increased foreign reserves, changes in the foreign exchange market, a decline in oil theft, and falling inflation from its peak among developments that had followed the reforms. He noted that the economy grew by more than four percent in 2026 and that Nigeria generated more than $6 billion in non-oil export revenue in 2025. Tinubu emphasized that the focus of the next phase of his administration would shift towards reducing the cost of living.
The president's address and Jonathan's message reflect the country's efforts to address its social and economic challenges. Both leaders emphasized the need for collective action and patriotism to build a better future for Nigeria. As the country moves forward, Nigerians are looking forward to seeing the implementation of policies that will address their concerns and improve their lives.
Key points
- Former President Goodluck Jonathan urges Nigerians to prioritize peace, unity, and justice above political interests.
- President Bola Tinubu defends the removal of the petrol subsidy and cautions against calls to reverse the policy.
- Both leaders emphasize the need for collective action and patriotism to build a better future for Nigeria.
