The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged citizens to sustain efforts to consolidate the reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration, translating emerging economic stability into stronger growth and improved quality of life. This was stated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at the Independence Day Public Lecture in Abuja, marking Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary. The lecture had the theme, "From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria's Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity."
According to Idris, the reforms undertaken over the past three years have addressed longstanding structural weaknesses and are creating stronger foundations for economic growth. He noted that Nigeria's economy recorded 4.43 per cent growth in the second quarter of 2026, while domestic refining capacity, investment, and productive activity are expanding. The Minister emphasized that the next phase is to ensure that economic gains translate into tangible benefits for citizens through greater opportunities, employment, and improved livelihoods.
Idris also highlighted the role of citizens and institutions in sustaining national progress, particularly the media as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle. He urged journalists and media organisations to strengthen fact-based public discourse, verification, and national cohesion, stressing that political differences should not undermine the country's common identity. The Minister said the media carries a special responsibility to promote informed public discourse anchored on facts, verification, and national cohesion.
The new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, noted that the public service has a central role in converting government policies and reforms into measurable outcomes for citizens. He said the ongoing transformation of the civil service is focused on improving efficiency, professionalism, accountability, and citizen-centred service delivery through stronger performance management, digitisation, continuous learning, and innovation.
Delivering the lecture, Dr. Collins A. Aimuan, Governing Council Philomath University, Kuje, traced Nigeria's political and economic journey from independence, highlighting the structural and fiscal pressures inherited by the present administration and examining the major reforms undertaken in response. He identified tax reform, changes in the petroleum sector, power-sector reforms, infrastructure investment, and expanded education financing among measures aimed at changing the underlying structure of the Nigerian economy.
Aimuan called for stronger legislative and institutional backing for reforms to ensure continuity and long-term impact, while also making a case for changes to the tenure structure of elected executives, including a single-term arrangement. He suggested that a second tenure is necessary to enable President Bola Tinubu to fully consolidate these reforms for the shared benefits and prosperity of Nigeria.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the country has moved through difficult periods since independence but continued to demonstrate resilience and faith in the Nigerian project. He noted that the Administration's reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign-exchange reforms, and fiscal measures, are intended to restore stability and create conditions for sustainable economic growth, while also expanding access to CNG, supporting food production and value chains, widening education financing, and strengthening interventions for vulnerable Nigerians.
Key points
- The Federal Government urges sustained efforts to consolidate reforms for shared prosperity.
- Nigeria's economy records 4.43 per cent growth in the second quarter of 2026.
- The media is called upon to promote informed public discourse anchored on facts, verification, and national cohesion.
