By 
By Osasome C.O
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the nation has “turned the corner” and the worst is over. The president pledged sustained reforms to drive economic growth, digital innovation, and citizen welfare.
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Speaking during his nationwide broadcast on Wednesday to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, the President highlighted achievements in digital transformation. Others are youth empowerment, and economic diversification. But critics urged for more proactive measures to reduce poverty.
Tinubu Reassures Nigerians Amid Economic Hardship
In his address to over 220 million citizens, President Tinubu acknowledged recent economic pains but promised relief.
“Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I will continue to justify the confidence you reposed in me,” he said.
The government claimed over 4% growth in the last 12 months, though critics argue millions remain in poverty.
Digital Economy as a Growth Driver
The President listed the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme as a major achievement. The initiative, driven by the Bank of Industry in partnership with AfDB, AFD, and IsDB, will support young Nigerians in tech and creative industries.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, revealed that foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nigeria’s digital economy grew ninefold. By Q1 2025, FDI surged to $191 million, supported by the rollout of a $2 billion, 90,000-kilometer fibre optic infrastructure nationwide.
Youth Empowerment and Skills Development
To address unemployment and build a skilled workforce, Tinubu highlighted initiatives such as:
- 3MTT (3 Million Technical Talent Programme) to expand digital skills.
- ICBM Programme by SBTS Group LLC and Digital Bridge Institute, which will train and employ 50,000 Nigerians over three years with financial backing from PeaceInvest and Aise Fund.
These programs are expected to position Nigeria as a global outsourcing hub while creating jobs and strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
Rising Digital Economy Contribution to GDP
With reforms in data governance, AI regulation, and digital skills development, the digital economy’s contribution to GDP is projected to rise from 16% to 22%, underscoring technology as a key growth driver.
Reforms in Governance and Citizen Engagement
President Tinubu also highlighted reforms in citizen engagement and governance delivery, including:
- Citizen engagement tools: New apps like the MOBILIZER app by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Citizens’ Delivery Tracker app have been introduced to improve public service delivery and increase citizen engagement.
- Digitization of government services: The administration is digitizing government services to reduce corruption and improve efficiency. This effort includes enhanced partnerships with bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Interpol to track and recover stolen assets using advanced technologies.
- Passport processing improvement: The Ministry of Interior has quickened the processing of travel passports by leveraging digital systems.
Consumer Credit Initiatives for Nigerians
The President announced progress under Credicorp, which has provided N30 billion in affordable loans to over 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar energy, housing, and digital devices.
Similarly, YouthCred, launched in 2024, now benefits thousands of NYSC members with consumer credit for resettlement.
Conclusion: Renewed Hope for Nigeria
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure inclusive opportunities for young Nigerians, build digital infrastructure, and strengthen governance.
“We promised to build a Nigeria where every young person has an equitable opportunity to access a better future,” he said.
