The federal government said Nigeria remains ‘a work in progress’ 65 years after the country’s independence.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who stated this on Monday at a press conference to mark the 65th Independence Day Anniversary in Abuja, urged citizens to rally behind ongoing reforms and contribute to building a greater nation.
Akume said independence should not only be seen as a date on the calendar but as a reminder of the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers and the collective responsibility of citizens.
‘At 65, Nigeria is still a work in progress. But with renewed hope, shared responsibility, and collective resolve, our best days lie ahead,’ he said. He noted that President Bola Tinubu had introduced bold reforms to stabilise the economy, restore investor confidence and create opportunities. He explained that while the policies were difficult, they were laying the foundation for long-term growth.
‘The gains, though modest, are a testimony that the Renewed Hope Agenda is on course, and with perseverance, greater dividends will be realized,’ he added.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the administration was dismantling ‘stubborn clogs in the wheel of national progress.’
He explained that inflation was declining, the naira was strengthening, and food prices were beginning to ease. He added that the trade surplus was growing with more contributions from the non-oil sector.
‘Our collective participation in nation-building is critical to the sustenance of the progress being made,’ he said.
The minister noted that more than 500,000 students were already benefitting from the National Education Loan Fund, describing it as unprecedented.
He said reforms in energy, transport, agriculture and health were evidence that ‘no region is taking a back seat’ in the distribution of projects.
FG cancels Independence Day parade
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced the cancellation of the Independence Anniversary parade that had been scheduled to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced this in a statement on Monday.
Imohiosen did not give a reason for the decision to cancel the parade but said it will not diminish the significance of the anniversary.
The statement urged Nigerians, the diplomatic community and invited guests to support the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.