The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has said that Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary offers citizens an opportunity to reflect on the nation’s journey, celebrate its resilience, and renew their commitment to unity, peace, and progress.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Akume noted that despite the milestones achieved, Nigeria remains a work in progress. He urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to building a stronger nation.
This year’s celebration is themed: “Nigeria at 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation.”
Akume was joined at the briefing by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Musa Dangiwa, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and Presidential media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman.
Akume said, “Today, as we stand at the threshold of another historic milestone, it is important to remind ourselves that Independence Day is more than a ceremonial date on our national calendar. It is a profound opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come as a people, celebrate our resilience, and renew our commitment to the ideals of unity, peace, and progress which our founding fathers fought so valiantly to secure.
“At 65, Nigeria is still a work in progress. But with renewed hope, shared responsibility, and collective resolve, our best days lie ahead. Let all hands truly be on deck for a greater, stronger, and more prosperous Nigeria.
“Our journey from 1960 to this moment has been marked by triumphs and trials, moments of joy and of testing, but through it all, the Nigerian spirit has remained unbroken. We have endured challenges in governance, economy, security, and social cohesion. Our true strength lies in our capacity to consistently rise after every storm, to rebuild after every setback, and forge ahead with resilience and faith in our destiny as a great nation.
Speaking on the theme of the anniversary celebration, Akume said it “is both a reminder and a charge.”
He added, “It reminds us that the responsibility of building a greater Nigeria is not the task of government alone, but a responsibility for every citizen, comprising the youth and elder, men and women, public servants and private entrepreneurs, farmers and professionals, teachers, military and para-military, traders and artisans, as well as those at home and in the diaspora. All hands must indeed be on deck for us to realize the Nigeria we envision, which is a nation united in purpose, rich in diversity, and resolute in progress.”
He further added, “Fellow Nigerians, as we celebrate this milestone, let us reflect on our shared responsibility to build a greater nation. Government is playing its part; citizens, too, must play theirs. Let us put aside divisions and work together to achieve a Nigeria where opportunity is greater than despair, unity stronger than division, and peace stronger than conflict.”
The SGF also pointed out that the President’s visionary leadership has provided the roadmap for the transformation of the country.
“Under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Renewed Hope Agenda has become the guiding framework for transforming Nigeria. “It is an agenda that speaks to national rebirth, inclusivity, and sustainable progress, thereby providing hope for our people, especially the youth who represent the future of this nation.
“Fellow Nigerians, we are all aware of the economic reforms initiated by this administration. They are bold, sometimes difficult, but necessary steps aimed at stabilizing our economy, restoring investor confidence, and laying a foundation for long-term growth.
“Already, we are witnessing positive results. Inflationary pressures are beginning to ease, foreign investment inflows are showing renewed interest, job creation initiatives are expanding opportunities for our youth, and social intervention programmes are being strengthened to cushion the effects of reforms on vulnerable groups. These gains, though modest, are a testimony that the Renewed Hope Agenda is on course, and with perseverance, greater dividends will be realized.
FG Counts Gains
In the same vein, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, on has also highlighted the remarkable progress made under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and called for national unity and collective participation under the theme “All Hands On Deck.”
Addressing a press conference held on September 20, 2025, to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Idris, described this year’s anniversary as a milestone symbolized by the sapphire gemstone, representing loyalty, trust, nobility, and wisdom—qualities he said define the Nigerian spirit.
He urged Nigerians to reflect on the nation’s journey, the present achievements, and to unite behind the renewed purpose of national repositioning.
The Minister praised President Tinubu as a committed and visionary leader dismantling obstacles to national progress through the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which focuses on eight priority areas aimed at prosperity, peace, and unity.
Highlighting the government’s economic reforms, Idris noted increased trade surplus driven by the non-oil sector, easing inflation, a strengthening currency, and growing foreign reserves—all signals that Nigeria is on the right path.
“From January 2026, the implementation of four new tax laws is expected to expand Nigeria’s revenue base while simplifying tax collection and reducing burdens on citizens and businesses.
“The administration is reinvesting revenue gains into health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, energy security, youth empowerment, and national security. Idris emphasized achievements in education, with over half a million tertiary students benefiting from the National Education Loan Fund, and investments in regional development through the establishment of five new regional development commissions.
“Infrastructure projects include flagship highways such as the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside major rail projects like the Kano-Kaduna standard gauge rail.
“In the energy sector, the government has revived the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant and is progressing with the Siemens Presidential Power Initiative and a smart metering rollout aimed at closing the country’s metering gap by 2027.
“Nigeria is also home to one of the world’s largest renewable energy projects, the World Bank-supported DARES project, expected to deliver off-grid electricity to over 17.5 million Nigerians.
“The oil and gas sector has seen increased production meeting OPEC quotas, a 16-year low in losses, and significant new investments exceeding five billion dollars, with ongoing projects like the AKK Gas Project and frontier basin exploration.
“Solid mineral investments include a $50 million lithium plant in Abuja and a $600 million processing plant in Nasarawa.
“Healthcare improvements include rehabilitating over 1,000 primary health centers and commissioning three advanced oncology centers, with three more nearing completion” he said.
Minister Idris stressed the government’s commitment to balanced development, equitable project distribution across regions, and empowerment of local governments through fiscal reintegration and financial autonomy.
According to him, President Tinubu’s administration is also supporting subnational infrastructure projects such as light rail systems in Kano and Kaduna states and has established a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Agricultural financing has received a historic boost with the recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture.
Minister Idris captured Nigeria’s 65-year journey as one of resilience, leadership, and unity, noting Nigeria’s pioneering role in African liberation movements and regional integration through ECOWAS.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s global commitment to peace, democracy, and justice, highlighting contributions to UN peacekeeping and agreements with the African Union. In conclusion, he called on all Nigerians and international partners to support the “All Hands On Deck” agenda to consolidate reform gains and build the Nigeria of their dreams.
He expressed confidence that the administration is working inclusively for all Nigerians and urged continued belief in the nation’s future.“Happy Independence Day, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addresses the Nation
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will broadcast to the Nation on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 7.00am Nigerian time in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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