President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to unite in driving the nation toward greater productivity and global competitiveness. Delivering his Independence Day address on Wednesday, Tinubu emphasized the importance of innovation, enterprise, and homegrown solutions in building a stronger economy.
The President urged citizens to shift focus from excessive consumption to increased production, stressing that national progress depends on the collective efforts of government, businesses, and individuals.
“Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just as the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing,” Tinubu said. “In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building.”
Tinubu highlighted agriculture and manufacturing as critical sectors for national development, calling on Nigerians to farm the land and establish factories to process produce locally. He further encouraged the public to support indigenous industries by buying “Made-in-Nigeria” goods.
“I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes,” the President added, noting that sustainable growth requires a culture of responsibility and accountability from both leaders and citizens.
The address comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, including inflation, unemployment, and a high cost of living. Tinubu’s call underscores his administration’s push for self-reliance and a renewed sense of patriotism to position the country on equal footing with developed nations.
The President’s remarks also touched on the role of state governments, which he urged to complement federal efforts by investing in local industries and infrastructure that can stimulate grassroots development.
Analysts say Tinubu’s emphasis on productivity reflects a broader strategy to diversify the economy away from over-reliance on oil revenues. His administration has recently rolled out policy reforms aimed at encouraging foreign investment, stabilizing the naira, and promoting domestic manufacturing.
However, critics argue that boosting local production will require tackling persistent challenges such as power shortages, insecurity in farming communities, and limited access to credit for small businesses.
Despite these hurdles, Tinubu expressed optimism that with determination and cooperation, Nigeria can achieve the same level of progress seen in other parts of the world.
“Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce,” he said. “Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods.”
As the country marked its Independence Day, Tinubu’s message served as both a call to action and a reminder of the collective responsibility of Nigerians to build a stronger, more self-sufficient nation.
