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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, declared that the country has emerged from its most turbulent years and is now firmly on the path to recovery.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja, in a nationwide brodacast, the President reassured citizens that the painful reforms of the last two years were beginning to bear fruit.

‘I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding,’ he told Nigerians in his address.

Tinubu said the economy had begun to stabilise with encouraging indicators, pointing to the nation’s strongest growth in recent years.

According to him, the Gross Domestic Product rose by 4.23 percent in the second quarter of 2025, the fastest pace in four years and well above the International Monetary Fund’s projection of 3.4 percent.

He noted that inflation had slowed to 20.12 percent in August, its lowest level in three years, while food costs were gradually easing due to improvements in agricultural production.

The President also underlined what he described as ‘remarkable economic milestones’ achieved under his watch, including a healthier fiscal position, rising foreign reserves, a return to trade surpluses, and a stable exchange rate.

He said Nigeria’s external reserves had risen to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019, while the country had posted five consecutive quarters of trade surplus, with non-oil exports almost on par with oil exports.

Tinubu further drew attention to the rebound in oil production and the stabilisation of the naira.

‘The multiple exchange rates which fostered corruption and arbitrage are now part of history. Our currency rate is no longer dictated solely by fluctuations in crude oil prices. Nigeria is selling more to the world than it is buying, and this is strengthening our economy,’ he explained.

The President said his government had redirected billions of naira saved from the removal of fuel subsidy into investments in infrastructure and social welfare.

He announced that N330 billion had already been disbursed to eight million vulnerable households across the country, while rail and highway projects were progressing in every region.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s position in the global economy, Tinubu argued that the reforms had restored investor confidence.

‘The world is taking notice of our efforts. Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising our improved economic fundamentals. Our stock market is booming, and for the first time in years, the Central Bank has cut interest rates, signalling confidence in our macroeconomic stability,’ he said.

Tinubu reassured citizens that the sacrifices of the past were not in vain.

‘We are building a Nigeria that works. The journey ahead is brighter than the days behind. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you have reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour,’ he declared.

Nigerian reality star Cross Okonkwo, popularly known as Cross Da Boss, is officially engaged.

The former Big Brother Naija housemate popped the question to his girlfriend, Chinonso, in a romantic ceremony attended by friends and a few former BBNaija stars.

Following the proposal, the couple celebrated with an intimate dinner alongside their guests.

Sharing the moment on Snapchat, Cross wrote: ‘Guys, my love of my life said yes.’

The engagement marks a new chapter for the reality star as he and Chinonso begin their journey towards marriage.

Victor Osimhen was named Man of the Match after helping Galatasaray shock Premier League champions Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

His 16th-minute penalty gave the Turkish champions a famous 1-0 victory in Istanbul.

‘Congratulations to the team. It was a very tough game against a strong opponent. Many people didn’t believe we could win, except for the players you see here,’ said the Super Eagles striker.

‘I’ve been away from the team for a while, but for me, this is the biggest club in the world!

‘We achieved a huge victory for Galatasaray and for me personally. The fans were the main reason I came here. Their support pushes me to give my best.

‘I love Galatasaray and the fans.’

The win was an impressive comeback for Galatasaray, who had lost 5-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening group game last month.

Some farmers’ associations have lauded the Federal Government’s efforts in stabilising food prices since last year but urged increased welfare and a better environment for local farmers.

The associations’ leaders made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Southwest and Lagos State, Mr Femi Oke, praised government efforts but sought stronger policies to boost productivity.

‘Looking at the food sector itself, we can say prices of commodities slightly went down. This was because the present administration was able to take some measures.

‘The import waivers by the President and other measures helped crack down some prices.

‘But apart from the prices going down, we farmers are not too happy, because we cannot sustain the food sector through imports.

‘It will not sustain us in farming, if more importation is being done.

‘The government still needs to take some measures, and the measures should recognise farmers, especially in provision of necessary inputs to all,’ Oke said.

According to him, provision of farm inputs, opening rural roads and creating an enabling environment will enhance productivity and ensure food security across the country.

‘The state governors should align with farmers, particularly heads of farmers’ associations, so they can identify critical routes in bad condition affecting produce transportation.

‘Also, the abandoned farm extension offices should be revived,’ he added.

On his part, Mr Godwin Egbebe, National Publicity Secretary, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), said achievements of the administration in agriculture carry two sides.

‘Basically, in the food sector prices have gone down. But the assessment is twofold, because not everybody has the purchasing power to buy produce.

‘As a sector, we used to experience egg gluts due to high productivity. Presently, many farmers are out of business because of costly inputs, so gluts no longer occur.

‘When people are out of business, scarcity of food results from reduced cultivation. Though prices are stable, many people cannot afford food,’ Egbebe said.

He explained that price stability was largely government-driven but remains artificial, as farmers still cannot produce as much as expected.

‘Our farmers need to return to farming. We cannot rely on food import waivers.

‘We can say food inflation is coming down, yet many still cannot afford to eat. The government must follow through on its policies.

‘Let people themselves testify to the impact of government policies on food, and not government declaring results when citizens cannot confirm them,’ he added.

If you’re jetting off to the United States this week, the ongoing government shutdown may not just be another headline, it could hit your trip hard.

Flights first. Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are still on duty, but they’re working without pay. The last time this happened, many called in sick, leaving travellers stranded in long queues and delayed flights. Don’t be surprised if the same chaos returns at airports.

Trains and buses safe. for now. Amtrak and local transit like subways, buses and ferries, are expected to run normally since they aren’t federally funded.

Tourist spots under threat. The US Interior Department says national parks will stay ‘partially’ open. In Washington and New York, the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo have only enough cash to stay open for one more week.

Back in 2018, a similar shutdown cost the Smithsonian nearly a million visitors.

For Nigerians heading to the US for holidays, studies or business, the message is simple: plan ahead, expect delays, and check if the attractions on your bucket list will even be open.

It all started in the early hours of Tuesday, as chaos swept through Washington after the United States government officially shut down after budget negotiations collapsed on Capitol Hill.

The shutdown, the first under President Donald Trump’s second term, has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees in limbo. From defense to health, workers were told to stay home, while essential services grind on under strained resources.

Trump doubled down on threats of sweeping job cuts if Congress fails to pass a spending bill that aligns with his administration’s priorities. The impasse has now thrown America into another round of political brinkmanship, with the lives of ordinary workers hanging in the balance.

As Nigeria clocks 65 years of nationhood on October 1, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to ensure that the gains of self-rule are felt through programmes and policies that lift citizens out of poverty, hunger, and insecurity.

In a statement to commemorate the day, the organisation said the celebration of Independence Day should go beyond parades and speeches, stressing that it must serve as a moment of sober reflection on how far the country has come, the challenges that persist, and the actions required to ensure that every Nigerian enjoys the true promise of freedom.

It argued that independence should not be defined by political sovereignty alone but by social and economic well-being for all citizens. While acknowledging that the Tinubu government has introduced reforms in the past year, which have been applauded locally and internationally, CAPPA maintained that such recovery programmes must be judged not only by their beauty on paper but also by their impact on households across the country.

The group observed that whatever gains have been recorded are being overshadowed by hardship, pointing to high costs of food supplies, soaring rents and electricity tariffs, and healthcare that remains out of reach for many families.

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said Nigeria’s independence was built on the hope that freedom would guarantee dignity and empower citizens as masters of their own destiny. ‘Sixty-five years after the Union Jack was lowered, Nigeria cannot afford reforms that stabilise the books while destabilising households,’ he said.

Oluwafemi noted that although Nigerians have often been told the economy is on the path of transformation, the gap between official claims and daily reality remains wide. He argued that the poor cannot spend ‘economic recovery’ in the market, stressing that the true test of policy is whether it improves life for people at the grassroots.

He added that the promise of independence would only be fulfilled when citizens can afford decent meals, live in safe housing within their means, access quality health care and public water services, and send their children to school without fear of exorbitant fees. He urged the government to focus on closing existing gaps through people-centred policies.

The organisation identified several priority areas for action, including food security. With food inflation still high, many households are struggling to eat three meals a day. CAPPA urged the government to invest in local food production by supporting farmers with inputs, storage, and access to markets. Nigeria has fertile land and abundant labour, it said, but farmers are held back by a lack of infrastructure and the spread of insecurity in food-producing regions. Strengthening agriculture, CAPPA argued, would cut import dependence, lower prices, and make affordable, healthy food more available to Nigerians.

The group, however, stressed that food security is not just about availability but also about quality and health. It pointed out that while hunger is rising, ultra-processed and sugary products are flooding the market, fuelling obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. CAPPA noted that without deliberate policies, Nigerians risk being trapped in a cycle where cheap but unhealthy foods dominate diets. It therefore renewed its call for stronger healthy food policies, including an increase in the current sugar-sweetened beverage tax, clear front-of-pack warning labelling for food products, and salt reduction targets, to ensure that citizens not only eat but eat well.

On the economy, CAPPA warned against piling up debts through excessive borrowing, saying that loans used to service recurrent spending rather than productive investments only deepen hardship. It advised the government to cut down on frivolous expenditures, close leakages, prioritise transparent spending, and channel resources into critical sectors as a way of boosting the economy and improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

CAPPA further identified security as a major concern, noting that independence cannot be meaningful if citizens live in fear of violence, kidnapping, or displacement. The group encouraged the government to invest in community policing and modern security infrastructure, and address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

On education, CAPPA emphasised that the future of Nigeria rests on an educated population. ‘Rising school fees, underfunded public universities, and poor facilities continue to deny many children and young people the opportunity to learn,’ it said.

The organisation encouraged the government to increase budgetary allocations to education, provide incentives for teachers, and ensure that schools at all levels are properly equipped.

CAPPA said that corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development. It called for stronger accountability measures to ensure that public resources are not wasted or diverted into a few private pockets.

‘Public office must be treated as a trust. Nigerians deserve leaders who live modestly, account for every naira spent, and put the nation’s welfare above personal gain,’ the organisation reflected. It urged the Tinubu administration to use the anniversary as an opportunity to renew its commitment to improving welfare at the grassroots.

CAPPA also called on Nigerians to play their part by holding leaders accountable and participating actively in civic life. It said the spirit of independence was not only about what the government does, but also about how citizens work together to build a better society.

Nigerian media personality and reality TV star, Phyna, has called out Dangote Group for being negligent and irresponsible towards her sister’s death.

Phyna on her Instagram page expressed her grief for the loss, claiming that the death was calculated and planned.

Phyna also revealed that Dangote Group did not fulfill their promises after her sister was hit by one of their trucks. She claimed the company only paid part of the hospital bills and left the family to pay the rest.

‘The bills from Auchi down to Irrua were covered by the family; no refund has been made. Also on Sept 13th, the day of burial, Dangote groups did not pick up all calls made to them from us, as we were told the bills were not paid, but they claim it was, the mortuary was also covered by the family. In the time of all the troubles, @dangotegroup said to the public that they’ve paid all hospital bills. The only bill Dangote covered was Lagoon Hospital,’ she said.

President Bola Tinubu, in his national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, on Wednesday reflected on the country’s journey since 1960, outlined the progress achieved under his administration, and unveiled fresh commitments on the economy, security, and youth empowerment.

Below are 20 key takeaways from his address:

1. Tinubu honoured Nigeria’s founding fathers and mothers, recalling their vision of a united, prosperous nation leading the black race.

2. He noted Nigeria’s significant progress since Independence, including vast improvements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

3. From just 120 secondary schools in 1960, Nigeria now has over 23,000, and 274 universities.

4. Despite challenges-civil war, dictatorships, and political crises-Nigeria has endured and remained united.

5. Tinubu described his administration as committed to continuing the ‘unfinished nation-building business.’

6. He said his government inherited a collapsing economy and chose tough reforms over complacency.

7. Removal of fuel subsidies and multiple exchange rates redirected resources to education, healthcare, security, and infrastructure.

8. He declared: ‘The worst is over. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief.’

9. GDP growth in Q2 2025 was 4.23%, Nigeria’s fastest in four years.

10. Inflation dropped to 20.12% in August 2025, its lowest in three years.

11. Non-oil revenue exceeded ?20 trillion by August 2025, a record-breaking achievement.

12. Nigeria’s external reserves climbed to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.

13. Trade surplus reached ?7.46 trillion in Q2 2025, with non-oil exports making up 48%.

14. Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day, alongside renewed local refining of fuel.

15. Tinubu said the naira has stabilised, with forex reforms ending arbitrage and multiple rates.

16. Over ?330 billion was disbursed to eight million vulnerable households under social investment.

17. Security forces are ‘winning the war’ against Boko Haram, IPOB/ESN, banditry, and kidnapping.

18. Tinubu praised Nigerian youths as the nation’s ‘greatest assets,’ citing NELFUND loans of nearly ?100 billion for students.

19. Initiatives like Credicorp, YouthCred, and iDICE are expanding credit and innovation opportunities for young Nigerians.

20. He closed with a message of hope: ‘The dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.’

In a quiet corner of a lively Nigerian neighborhood, a remarkable movement was born, not in a studio, but on the streets, fueled by raw talent, passion, and a dream. Today, ‘WeAreTrendingKidz’, a fast-rising children’s skit group, is capturing hearts across social media with hilarious content and natural acting.

In this interview with AHMED IYANDA, the director and Script writer of the crew, Oluwatobiloba Samuel shared their journey and how it all began.

Below are the interview excerpts from the director of the crew.

What inspired the creation of ‘WeAreTrendingKidz’?

I noticed I had a natural gift for coming up with funny ideas, so I decided to turn that into something creative. I gathered some of the kids in my area and began training them. That’s how ‘We Are Trending Kidz’ was born.

How did you discover these talented children, and what made you believe they could take on Nollywood?

Like I said, I simply called them together, explained the idea, and began training them. They were excited and ready to learn.

Was there a defining moment when you knew this project was going to be big?

Yes, absolutely. I believe that with good and entertaining content, people will notice and support us. I’ve always believed it will become big one day.

How do the children manage school and acting? Is there a balance?

We only shoot on Sundays, and it doesn’t take too much of their time. Their schooling is always the top priority.

What kind of training or mentorship do they receive?

Just ordinary rehearsals led by me. We meet every evening from 7 PM to 8 PM to rehearse, and it has helped them improve a lot.

Are the kids aware of the fame they’re gathering, and how are they handling it emotionally?

Yes! They love it. They’re naturally funny, never shy, and very intelligent.

How has the Yoruba film industry reacted to these kids dominating screens? Support or skepticism?

Yes, several Yoruba Nollywood stars have reposted our skits and shown us love on Instagram. They also encourage us to keep going.

What challenges have you faced pushing a full children-led project in a largely adult-dominated industry?

Quite a number of challenges. In the beginning, some of their parents thought it was all just play. Many didn’t even understand social media, so they didn’t support their kids. But now, seeing the love and huge audience, the parents are very proud and fully supportive.

Have any of the kids landed big roles or endorsements outside the crew?

Not yet, but we’re hopeful that will come soon.

What would surprise people most about these kids behind the scenes?

They’re always funny, never shy, and very intelligent. They just have that spark!

What are your long-term goals for the ‘We Are Trending Kids’ brand?

The future is very bright. I believe we’ll be among the best in Nigeria and even beyond.

How can fans support and follow the journey of these rising stars?

By liking, commenting on, and sharing our content. That’s the best way to help us grow.

A former minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

Obanikoro, in a statement on Wednesday, said the anniversary is a reminder of Nigeria’s remarkable journey as a nation built on sacrifice, resilience and the indomitable spirit of its people.

He recalled that 65 years ago, Nigeria’s founding fathers reclaimed the country’s sovereignty and laid the foundation of nationhood with uncommon courage and conviction.

‘Since then, our country has faced trials that would have broken lesser nations. Yet, Nigerians have consistently shown the capacity to rise above adversity, to endure and to hope.

‘It is this resilience that continues to define us as a people,’ he said.

The former minister noted that Nigeria had sustained 26 years of unbroken democracy, while its diversity and the global excellence of its citizens remained strong pillars of national pride.

‘At 65, we must reflect on how far we have come and reaffirm our collective determination to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

‘Our task is to transform challenges into stepping stones for renewal and to place the prosperity of our people above all else,’ he said.

Obanikoro commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as bold reforms and commitment to repositioning the economy, restoring global confidence and deepening hope among citizens.

‘While the path of renewal is never easy, I am confident that under his leadership, Nigeria is poised to reclaim her rightful place as the giant of Africa and a beacon of black excellence in the world,’ he added.

He urged Nigerians to embrace unity and shared responsibility in building the nation, stressing that tribe, faith or creed should not divide the people.

‘Our unity, resilience and shared optimism remain our greatest assets in the march to greatness.

‘May the almighty continue to guide our leaders, bless our people and preserve our nation for generations to come,’ Obanikoro said.