Much has changed since our 64th anniversary of Independence Day, a year ago, and positively. Nigeria today is better positioned for economic growth and lasting prosperity than in a long time.
In this piece, I would like to highlight the progress we have achieved as a nation during the past year.
External reserves have grown from $ 37 billion to $ 42 billion. La Naira has won around 6 percent against the US dollar for a year. The main inflation, which stood at 32.7 percent a year ago, has fallen to 20 percent and is still decreasing. The Central Bank has just reduced interest rates for the first time in five years, reflecting the growing confidence in macroeconomic stability. In June 2025, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that “Nigeria [is] It is no longer on the list ”of countries where airlines funds are blocked from repatriation.
Four historical tax law has been approved: the largest fiscal reform in our recent history. On the strength of the reforms that have grown in income and have blocked leaks, we have achieved the unprecedented feat of achieving federal income objective during the 12 months of 2025 in August, five months earlier than expected.
In the infrastructure, the presidential legacy projects have gone from incipient ideas to visible and tangible wonders, mile after mile of imposing concrete paths that extend through the communities from Lekki to Calabar and enugu to Akwanga to Sokoto, and more. Throughout the country, avant -garde cancer centers, electricity substations, MSME centers, student loans, cash transfers and new regional development commissions are affecting the life of Nigerian people.
In oil and gas, we have seen the conclusion of the historical disinversions of the IOC, marking the beginning of a new chapter of indigenous strength and capacity in our energy industry. We have also hosted a FID of $ 5 billion of Shell, in the Bonga North Deepwater project, next to several new gas supply agreements that will transform the LNG market both nationally and for export.
Many terrorist leaders and notorious bandits who actively unleashed violence a year ago have been neutralized or are now captive, while our security agencies continue to obtain improvements both in capacity and synergy.
In sports, our national female teams made history: the Super Falcons with their X Triumph mission and the D’Tigress with their success of mission V: five consecutive titles of Afrobasket.
Last year he also brought Grammys, Guinness World Records and our first official selection for the Cannes Film Festival, a testimony of the Nigerian sand and cultural genius.
The period has also seen several Nigerians chosen or appointed in key international organizations, including the vice presidency of the International Association of Ports and Ports; Vice Presidency of the International Council of the Telecommunications Union; Presidency of the Council of the World Customs Organization; and the Executive Directorate of the WHO Health Emergency Program, among others.
Nigeria is now the UA digital trade champion and the designated provider of strategic services for the sea to the Union, through the Nigeria Navy. And in January 2025, we reached the state of an associated BRICS country.
In the first half of 2025, the Nigeria-China trade increased to $ 15.48 billion, an increase of 34.7 percent compared to the same period in 2024. This occurs almost exactly one year after our bilateral relations with China were updated to a comprehensive strategic association in forum 2024 on the cooperation of China-Aphrica (FOCAC).
In fact, there is much to celebrate, affirming the inspiring position of President Tinubu to La Nación on October 1, 2024: “While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come to forge and keep our country together.”
Today, as we turn 65 and began our 66th year as an independent nation, each word of that position sounds true. The road has been a challenge, but the rewards have been real, and we have forged a bold path to the light, as the president promised.
At 65, a person is considered older citizen, typically withdrawal from active service. But for a nation, 65 years of independence is not much time; It is correct to say that this is a day on the day of creation ‘for us. That said, we are no longer the 39 -year -old traumatized who took tentative steps in democracy in 1999.
We have grown more wise, we made mistakes and learned from many of them. We have come to understand, from experience, what Winston Churchill wanted to say when he said that “democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms that have been tried.” We will never allow this democratic trip to be undermined.
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Twenty -five years after this fourth historical republic, Nigeria has the helm a bold and experienced reformer, one without fear of making hard but necessary decisions for the future of the country; and with a vision of delivering a billion economy by 2030.
We can look next year with great hope and confidence that we are on the right path, moving in the right direction. In the coming weeks, preparations for the 2026 budget will gain impulse, with all hands in Deck to offer a budget that really works for people. And in January, the new tax laws will come into force, opening a new chapter of economic dynamism.
In his speech on the Independence Day of 2024, President Tinubu urged: “He urges him to believe in the promise of our nation. The way ahead can be a challenge, but we will forge a path to a brighter future with his support.”
Looking how the last 12 months have validated these powerful words, a challenging path that, however, opens infinite possibilities for growth, prosperity and progress, I have no doubt about the greatness that is coming as we begin the count to our 66th anniversary of independence.
• Mohammed Idris, FNIPR, is the honorable Minister of National Information and Orientation.
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