Nigeria@65: 65 key achievements highligted by Tinubu in Independence Day speech

Introduction to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Achievements

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his October 1, 2025 Independence Day broadcast, highlighted several reforms and milestones his administration has pursued in the last 28 months. These achievements are vast and cover various sectors, including economy, security, youth and social investments, and governance and national development.

Economy and Reforms

The administration has made significant strides in the economy, with 29 key achievements outlined:

1. Ended the corrupt fuel subsidy system.
2. Abolished multiple foreign exchange rates.
3. Redirected resources towards education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
4. Increased revenue flows to federal, state, and local governments.
5. Achieved GDP growth of 4.23% in Q2 2025, the fastest in four years.
6. Outperformed IMF growth projection of 3.4%.
7. Reduced inflation to 20.12% in August 2025—the lowest in three years.
8. Boosted agricultural production to enhance food security.
9. Achieved record-breaking non-oil revenue of over ₦20 trillion by August 2025.
10. Raised ₦3.65 trillion in September 2025 alone, 411% higher than May 2023 figures.
11. Reduced debt service-to-revenue ratio from 97% to below 50%.
12. Paid down “Ways and Means” advances.
13. Freed trillions of naira from subsidy savings for targeted investment.
14. Increased external reserves to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.
15. Raised tax-to-GDP ratio to 13.5% from under 10%.
16. Introduced a new tax law (to begin January 2026) expanding the tax base while protecting low-income earners.
17. Secured five consecutive quarters of trade surplus.
18. Recorded a 44.3% increase in trade surplus to ₦7.46 trillion in Q2 2025.
19. Achieved a 173% jump in manufactured goods exports.
20. Increased non-oil exports to 48% of total exports.
21. Restored oil production to 1.68 million barrels per day from 1 million in May 2023.
22. Began refining PMS domestically for the first time in four decades.
23. Became Africa’s leading exporter of aviation fuel.
24. Stabilised the Naira, narrowing the gap between official and parallel markets.
25. Attracted fresh capital inflows and remittances.
26. Eliminated multiple exchange rates that encouraged corruption.
27. Reduced naira-dollar dependence on crude oil prices.
28. Disbursed ₦330 billion to 8 million households under social investment programmes.
29. Achieved 57.5% growth in coal mining in Q2 2025.

Infrastructure and Economic Growth

In addition to the economic reforms, the administration has also made progress in infrastructure development:

• Revitalised the solid minerals sector for value-added processing.
• Expanded rail and water transport by 40% and 27% respectively.
• Progressed on the 284-km Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail project.
• Advanced work on Kaduna-Kano rail line.
• Continued construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
• Continued construction of Sokoto-Badagry Highway.
• Approved $3 billion to complete the Eastern Rail Project.
• Achieved upgrades in sovereign credit ratings.
• Witnessed a stock market boom, with the All-Share Index rising to 142,000 points.
• Saw first Central Bank interest rate cut in five years.

Security Achievements

The administration has also recorded significant gains in the area of security:

1. Recorded gains in the fight against Boko Haram in the North-East.
2. Pushed back IPOB/ESN violence in the South-East.
3. Degraded banditry and kidnapping networks.
4. Restored peace in hundreds of liberated communities.
5. Enabled thousands of displaced Nigerians to return home.
6. Celebrated gallantry and sacrifices of security forces.

Youth and Social Investments

In terms of youth and social investments, the administration has:

1. Established NELFUND for student loans.
2. Supported 510,000 students in 228 higher institutions.
3. Disbursed ₦99.5 billion in student loans by September 2025.
4. Released ₦44.7 billion in upkeep allowances.
5. Launched Credicorp, granting ₦30 billion in affordable loans.
6. Benefited 153,000 Nigerians under Credicorp.
7. Introduced YouthCred for NYSC members.
8. Enabled tens of thousands of corps members to access consumer credit.
9. Launched iDICE (Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises).
10. Partnered AfDB, French Development Agency, and Islamic Development Bank for iDICE.
11. Positioned Bank of Industry as driver of iDICE programme.
12. Expanded opportunities for young people in tech and creative industries.

Governance and National Development

The administration has made significant progress in governance and national development, including:

1. Increased number of secondary schools from 120 in 1960 to over 23,000 by 2024.
2. Expanded tertiary education to 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education.
3. Improved access to healthcare compared to 1960.
4. Strengthened financial services, manufacturing, ICT, aviation, and defence sectors.
5. Ensured more autonomy and funding for state and local governments.
6. Improved passport processing through the Ministry of Interior.
7. Prioritised infrastructure investments for future generations.
8. Reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and the global black community.

Conclusion

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has achieved significant milestones in various sectors, including economy, security, youth and social investments, and governance and national development. These achievements are a testament to the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians and positioning the country for future growth and development. As the administration continues to work towards a better Nigeria, it is essential to acknowledge and appreciate the progress made so far, while also looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.