By Adesewa Alonge
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to cut the cost of living and defeat poverty, declaring that Nigeria’s economic reforms have paved the way for a new era of jobs, industrial growth and shared prosperity.
Tinubu made the pledge in his Independence Day address to the nation on Thursday, as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary.
He said the government would lower the cost of producing and transporting food and other essential goods through increased agricultural production, improved infrastructure and support for businesses.
According to the President, measures include expanding mechanised irrigation and dry-season farming, improving access to seeds and fertiliser, and investing in storage, roads, railways and ports to reduce losses and connect producers to markets.
Tinubu also pledged to promote industrial growth and employment by using gas to power industries, reviving factories, expanding digital connectivity and providing skills and financing for businesses.
Acknowledging the hardship faced by millions of Nigerians, the President said many families still struggle with food, school fees, medical bills and transportation costs.
He said the government was strengthening support for vulnerable households through the National Social Register, while the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) were expanding access to education and consumer credit.
“These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge to aid our nation’s citizens on their path towards it,” he said.
Tinubu also said the economic challenges facing Nigerians had accumulated over decades and could not be eliminated within four years, but insisted that his administration was changing the country’s economic direction.
“We will defeat it,” he said of poverty, adding that sustained economic growth and the creation of millions of productive opportunities would be required.
The President urged Nigerians to look ahead with confidence, describing his vision as a Nigeria where prosperity is broadly shared and every child can dream beyond the circumstances of their birth.
About the Author
