President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to exercise patience and look beyond the current hardships, assuring them that the country is on a path from darkness to a promising dawn.
In a video message released by the State House on Wednesday, President Tinubu acknowledged the severe difficulties caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. He admitted that the transition has been tough but emphasized that the pains are temporary and part of a larger plan for national improvement.
“Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there’s no doubt that it is tough, but I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work. Sadly, there was an avoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully online,” Tinubu stated.
He urged the citizens to have faith in the administration’s ability to deliver and its concern for their well-being. “We will get out of this turbulence, and due to the measures we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her,” he added.
Tinubu also highlighted his administration’s commitment to making education more affordable, including providing loans to higher education students. “No Nigerian student will have to abandon higher education due to lack of money,” he assured.
Reaffirming his government’s dedication to promoting the greatest good for the greatest number, Tinubu said, “On principle, we shall never falter. I assure you, my fellow countrymen and women, that we are exiting the darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn. Now, I must get back to work in order to make this vision come true.”
The President expressed confidence that the measures his government has taken will steer the country out of its lingering economic crisis.
This address marks the second time Tinubu has spoken to the nation since the onset of the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests. The protests have turned violent in some states, including Kano, Abuja, and Kaduna, where demonstrators, believed to be infiltrators, were seen waving Russian flags and calling for a military takeover.