President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Addresses the Nation on Ongoing Protests

Broadcast by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

My fellow Nigerians

• I address you today with a heavy heart, aware of the turmoil and violent protests in some of our states.

• Among the protesters were young Nigerians who desire a better and more progressive country where their dreams and aspirations can be fulfilled.

• I am deeply pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, and other states, the destruction of public facilities, and the looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of peaceful protests. This destruction sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be needed to restore them.

Read More: Operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) and the police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters and journalists in Abuja.

• I extend my condolences to the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence, and destruction.

• As President, I must ensure public order. Our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a political agenda to tear this nation apart.

• I urge protesters and organizers to suspend further protests and create room for dialogue. Nigeria requires all hands on deck, regardless of age, party, tribe, religion, or other divides. To those who threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry in the Nigeria we seek to build.

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• Our democracy progresses when the constitutional rights of every Nigerian are respected and protected. Law enforcement should continue to ensure the full protection of lives and properties of innocent citizens responsibly.

• My vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood provided by democratic good governance – one that is open, transparent, and accountable to the Nigerian people.

• For decades, our economy has been stunted by misalignments. Over a year ago, Nigeria reached a point where temporary solutions could no longer solve long-term problems. I took the necessary decision to remove fuel subsidies and abolish multiple foreign exchange systems, which had impeded our economic development..

• These actions blocked the greed and profits of smugglers and rent-seekers, and the undue subsidies extended to neighboring countries. These decisions were necessary to reverse decades of economic mismanagement. The buck stops on my table, and I am focused on delivering good governance to the people.

• In the past 14 months, our government has made significant strides in rebuilding our economy. Aggregate government revenues have more than doubled, hitting over 9.1 trillion Naira in the first half of 2024. Productivity is increasing in the non-oil sector, reaching new levels...

• We have reduced our debt service ratio from 97% to 68% in the last 13 months and cleared legitimate outstanding foreign exchange obligations of about $5 billion without adverse impacts on our programs.

• This financial freedom allows us to spend more on essential social services like education and healthcare. State and Local Governments have received the highest allocations ever from the Federation Account.

• We have embarked on major infrastructure projects across the country, including roads, bridges, railways, power, and oil and gas developments. Projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway will create jobs and boost economic output through trade, tourism, and cultural integration...

• Our oil and gas industry is experiencing a resurgence. We increased oil production to 1.61 million barrels per day and are receiving significant foreign investments.

• To address our dependence on oil-based petrol, we launched the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative to power our transportation economy, reducing costs and freeing up resources for healthcare and education.

• We will distribute a million low-cost kits to commercial vehicles, reducing transportation costs by approximately 60% and helping curb inflation.

• We have started setting up conversion centers across the country in conjunction with the private sector..

• Our commitment to the youth is evident in the student loan scheme, with 45.6 billion Naira processed for payment to students
• We established the Consumer Credit Corporation with over N200 billion to help Nigerians acquire essential products without immediate cash payments.

• We secured $620 million under the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE) program, creating millions of IT and technical jobs. Unfortunately, one of the digital centers was vandalized during the protests in Kano.

• We introduced the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

• Over N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to support livelihoods, and 600,000 nano-businesses have benefitted from our grants.

• Additionally, 75,000 beneficiaries will receive N1 million Micro and Small Business single-digit interest loans this month. We have built 10 MSME hubs, creating 240,000 jobs, with 5 more hubs in progress.

• 25. Payments of N1 billion each are being made to large manufacturers to boost manufacturing output.

•  I signed the National Minimum Wage into law last week, ensuring the lowest-earning workers will now earn at least N70,000 a month.

• We launched the Renewed Hope City and Estate project, with the first phase inaugurated in Karsana, Abuja. This project is part of six planned across the nation's geopolitical zones.

• We are also launching the Renewed Hope Estates in every state, each comprising 500 housing units. Our goal is to complete 100,000 housing units over the next three years.

• We are providing incentives to farmers to increase food production. Tariffs and import duties on essential food items and medical supplies have been removed for six months to drive down prices.

• We have distributed fertilizers and ordered mechanized farming equipment to cultivate over 10 million hectares of land, putting millions to work and increasing food production.

• My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. We are committed to listening and addressing your concerns.

Read More: Violence Erupts in Kaduna as #EndBadGovernance Protester Reportedly Shot

• But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity..

• The task before us is a collective one, and I am leading the charge as your President. We are focused on stabilizing our economy and ensuring the benefits reach every Nigerian.

• My administration is working hard to improve national infrastructure and create more opportunities for our youth.

• Let nobody misinform you about your country or tell you that your government does not care. We are in a new era of Renewed Hope, and we are working hard for you.

• Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. Choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; please, don’t shut out its oxygen. Do not let enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda.

• Security operatives should maintain peace, law, and order while respecting human rights. The safety and security of all Nigerians are paramount.

• Thank God and thank you for your attention. May God continue to bless our great Nation.

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• Thank you very much.