Nigeria at 66: FG Pledges to Turn Reform Gains Into Better Living Standards
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has said the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are beginning to lay the foundation for sustainable growth, increased production and shared prosperity.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a World Press Conference organised to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Idris said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey, acknowledge the resilience of its people and renew the commitment to building a more prosperous, secure and united nation.
He said the administration inherited significant structural and fiscal challenges but chose to address longstanding economic distortions despite the difficult adjustments involved.
“Those decisions were difficult, and Nigerians have borne real costs. Today, however, Nigeria is moving from the difficult work of reform and stabilisation towards a new phase of growth, production and shared prosperity,” Idris said.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 4.23 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
He also pointed to stronger foreign reserves, increased domestic refining capacity and growing investment and productive activities as indications of progress in the economy.
Idris further highlighted Nigeria’s delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List and its return to the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index after 11 years.
“Our external position has strengthened, foreign reserves have risen, domestic refining capacity has expanded, and investment and productive activity are gaining momentum,” he said.
However, the Minister acknowledged that significant challenges remain, stressing that the ultimate responsibility of government is to leave future generations with a stronger country.
“Our responsibility is to hand the next generation a Nigeria that is more prosperous, more secure, more united and more confident than the one we inherited,” he said.
