As Nigeria marks its 66th independence anniversary, the Federal Government has stated that economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu's administration since 2023 are yielding results. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja at the 66th Independence Anniversary Lecture. According to Akume, the nation was saved from imminent collapse by embarking on reforms that include the removal of the petrol subsidy, foreign exchange market reforms, and fiscal changes.
Akume cited World Bank data, which shows that Nigeria's real GDP grew by 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, compared with 3.9 per cent in the corresponding period a year earlier. He stated that the reforms had begun to restore economic stability, while investments in infrastructure, agriculture, power, transport, and security were also yielding gains. The SGF emphasized that the administration took office in 2023 and immediately took bold decisions needed to save the nation from imminent collapse.
The SGF highlighted the government's achievements in various sectors, including youth employment, security, health, education, infrastructure, and agriculture. On youth empowerment, Akume stated that the government expanded the Education Loan Fund so that millions of students could afford university and vocational studies. The government is also strengthening technical and vocational institutes to teach the skills that industry needs.
Akume urged Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in the country, noting that they bring not just remittances, but ideas, investments, and pride. He also commended the armed forces and stated that the government was improving equipment, intelligence, and coordination through a new National Threat Assessment and five-year Strategic Defence Plan. The SGF emphasized that security and welfare of the people is the responsibility of government.
On healthcare and social protection, Akume stated that the government was equipping thousands of primary healthcare centres under the IMPACT initiative and expanding safety-net programmes, including NG-CARES Additional Financing, SOLID, and HOPE. These programmes, backed by World Bank and Federal Government funds, aim to provide cash transfers and essential services to vulnerable families.
The SGF rallied leaders and citizens to back the present administration, expressing optimism that the country could achieve shared prosperity. He envisioned a Nigeria where a young graduate becomes an employer of labour, a farmer can feed his family and sell surplus at market, and every child goes to a good school and sees a doctor when sick. The government has invested heavily in improving connectivity, citing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Kano Highway, East-West Road, rail modernization, and port reforms.
On agriculture and food security, Akume reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring Nigerians "eat what we grow" by supporting mechanization, irrigation, improved seeds, fertilizer, silos, and local processing. The World Bank has approved a $500m credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth project, which will raise smallholder productivity, strengthen value chains, and improve food and nutrition security.
Key points
- The Federal Government has cited a 4.2 per cent real GDP growth in the first half of 2026, yielding results from economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu's administration.
- The government has expanded the Education Loan Fund and strengthened technical and vocational institutes to empower youths.
- The World Bank has approved a $500m credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth project to improve food and nutrition security.
