Nigeria’s reforms yielding results, must reach ordinary citizens — Idris

Alhaji Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information 

"The reforms undertaken over the past three years had been difficult and demanded sacrifices and patience from citizens, but were necessary to correct longstanding structural weaknesses in the economy." Idris 

.... Says “The goal of President Tinubu is that the benefits of reform reach ordinary citizens.”

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has said the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration are beginning to yield encouraging results, stressing that their ultimate goal is to improve the welfare and prosperity of ordinary Nigerians.

Idris, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Independence Day Public Lecture to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, said the reforms undertaken over the past three years had been difficult and demanded sacrifices and patience from citizens, but were necessary to correct longstanding structural weaknesses in the economy.

Speaking on the theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,” the minister said the anniversary provided an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, assess the present and renew confidence in the future.

He said: “The reforms of the past three years have not been easy. They have demanded sacrifice and patience from Nigerians. But they have also begun the difficult process of correcting longstanding structural weaknesses and laying stronger foundations for the future.”

According to him, President Tinubu has the responsibility of steering the country through the reforms towards stability, growth and shared prosperity.

He said, “The goal of President Tinubu is that the benefits of reform reach ordinary citizens.”

Idris noted that there were already encouraging signs in the economy, pointing to the reported 4.43 per cent growth recorded in the second quarter of 2026, expanding domestic refining capacity, renewed investment in critical sectors and progress on major infrastructure projects across the country.

“Our goal is clear: to turn reform into stability, stability into growth, and growth into a new era of shared prosperity in which every Nigerian can aspire, work and prosper,” he said.

The minister, however, stressed that government alone could not achieve the desired transformation, urging the private sector, media, civil society, traditional and religious institutions, academia and citizens to play their respective roles in national development.

He gave particular emphasis to the role of the media, especially with another electoral cycle approaching, urging journalists and media organisations to promote public discourse based on facts, verification and national cohesion.

“The media, particularly as we approach another electoral cycle, carries a special responsibility to promote informed public discourse anchored on facts, verification and national cohesion,” Idris said.

He added that while political differences were legitimate in a democracy, such differences should not undermine the country’s shared national identity.

“Political differences are legitimate in a democracy; they must never diminish our common identity as Nigerians,” he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s 66 years of independence, Idris described the country as a “continuing project,” noting that each generation has a responsibility to advance the nation before passing the baton to the next.

“At 66, Nigeria remains a continuing project. Every generation receives the baton, runs its course and passes it forward,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and remain committed to building a nation characterised by prosperity, security and national unity.

“Our responsibility today is to move Nigeria further along the road to prosperity, security and national unity,” the minister said.

Idris concluded by urging Nigerians to embrace the task of nation-building, saying, “Let us therefore renew our faith in our country and our commitment to building the Nigeria we all desire.”

He wished Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary and declared: “Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”