President Tinubu Addresses Nigeria's Economic Challenges at 66

On the occasion of Nigeria's 66th independence anniversary, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the country's ongoing struggles with economic hardship, poverty, and insecurity. Despite the government's focus on economic reforms, the International Monetary Fund reported that 63 percent of Nigerians live below the national poverty line, with an estimated 27 million facing food insecurity.

Nigeria's historical reliance on oil exports has hindered economic diversification, with manufacturing contributing only three percent to the GDP. The country also suffers from significant infrastructure deficits, particularly in electricity, healthcare, and transportation, generating only 4,000 to 5,000 MW of electricity against a demand of over 28,000 MW.

The anniversary was marked by prayers for peace and unity across mosques and churches, reflecting the difficult circumstances many households face.