By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has called for sustained efforts to consolidate the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration and translate emerging stability into stronger growth, expanded opportunities and improved living standards for Nigerians.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the Independence Day Public Lecture marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The lecture, organized by the Federal Government at the State House, was themed, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.”
Idris said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey, acknowledge the sacrifices and resilience of Nigerians and renew the collective commitment to building a prosperous, secure and united country.
He said reforms implemented over the past three years had begun addressing longstanding structural weaknesses and creating stronger foundations for economic growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, while domestic refining capacity, investment and productive activities were expanding.
He stressed that the next phase was to ensure that the gains from the reforms translated into tangible benefits for citizens through increased employment, opportunities and improved livelihoods.
“Our goal is clear: to turn reform into stability, stability into growth, and growth into a new era of shared prosperity in which every Nigerian can aspire, work and prosper,” Idris said.
The minister also urged the media to play a stronger role in promoting fact-based public discourse and national cohesion, particularly as the country approaches another electoral cycle.
He called on journalists and media organizations to prioritize verification and responsible reporting, stressing that political differences should not undermine Nigeria’s common identity.
Also speaking, the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, said the public service had a central role in translating government policies and reforms into measurable outcomes for citizens.
He said the ongoing civil service transformation was focused on improving efficiency, professionalism, accountability and citizen-centred service delivery through stronger performance management, digitization, continuous learning and innovation.
Delivering the lecture, the Governing Council Philomath University, Kuje, Dr Collins A. Aimuan, reviewed Nigeria’s political and economic journey since independence and examined the structural and fiscal challenges inherited by the present administration.
He highlighted tax reforms, changes in the petroleum sector, power-sector reforms, infrastructure investment and expanded education financing as measures aimed at restructuring the Nigerian economy.
Aimuan urged the government to sustain and institutionalize the reforms beyond individual administrations, stressing the need for stronger legislative and institutional backing to ensure continuity and long-term impact.
He also advocated changes to the tenure structure of elected executives, including a single-term arrangement, while arguing that the current administration should be given sufficient time to consolidate its reforms.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said Nigeria had passed through difficult periods since independence but had continued to demonstrate resilience and faith in the Nigerian project.
Akume said the administration’s early decisions, including the removal of petrol subsidy, unification of the foreign exchange market, and tax and other fiscal reforms, were aimed at restoring economic stability and creating conditions for sustainable growth.
He said the next phase would focus on translating economic growth into jobs, incomes and opportunities while sustaining investments in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, social protection and security.
The SGF added that the government was expanding access to compressed natural gas, supporting food production and value chains, widening education financing and strengthening interventions for vulnerable Nigerians.
Among those who attended the event were the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman; Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Others included Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaire; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima S. Mahmood, among other senior government officials and dignitaries.
