By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and translating emerging economic gains into improved living standards for Nigerians.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a World Press Conference to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, hosted by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
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 Tinubu administration inherited significant structural and fiscal challenges but chose to confront 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 stabilization towards a new phase of growth, production and shared prosperity,” Idris said.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 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 cited improvements in foreign reserves, domestic refining capacity, investment and productive activity, as well as 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.
Idris said the country still faced challenges but maintained that progress had been recorded and more work remained to be done.
“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.
Also speaking, Akume said Nigeria’s 66-year journey had recorded significant milestones, including uninterrupted constitutional democracy since 1999.
He said the priority of the government should now be to consolidate the gains of ongoing reforms and ensure that they translate into better opportunities for ordinary Nigerians.
“The task before us today, as leaders and citizens, is consolidation. We must ensure that the gains from reform translate into better opportunities for ordinary Nigerians,” Akume said.
The SGF said the government was mobilizing revenue, improving public finances and implementing interventions in infrastructure, agriculture, education, health and social protection.
He stressed the need to protect vulnerable Nigerians while pursuing economic reforms.
“The guiding principle is that while we reform our economy, we must protect those who are already struggling. No one in poverty should be forgotten,” he said.
Akume added that the administration would continue to strengthen security, support the private sector and promote national cohesion to ensure that economic opportunities reached communities across the country.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the reforms were aimed at making deliberate policy choices capable of building a larger and more inclusive economy.
“We are not yet where we want to be. What is important is to identify what are the choices that we need to make so that we can go to where we want to be,” Bagudu said.
On security, Idris acknowledged that challenges remained but said the Federal Government had increased investment in equipment, intelligence, personnel and inter-agency coordination.
“Now, does it mean that we have solved all the security challenges in this country? No, and there is so much progress,” he said.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said improved access to farmlands in previously affected areas, coupled with government support for fertilizer and improved seeds, was contributing to increased agricultural production.
Kyari said about 70 per cent of areas in the central part of the country that had previously been affected by insecurity had been liberated, resulting in increased agricultural activity.
The World Press Conference formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and provided an opportunity for the government to highlight the country’s progress, ongoing challenges and priorities for the future.
Among those who attended were the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel.
Also present were the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Office of the SGF, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens; Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi; Auditor-General for the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira; and other senior government officials and dignitaries.
