Independence Day: Nigeria has endured war, military rule, crises in 66 years — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria has endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval in its 66 years of independence, despite the difficulties confronting the country.

Tinubu said the resilience of Nigerians had kept the country together through successive challenges, stressing that generations of citizens had continued to believe that Nigeria would become better.

The President stated this in his Independence Day broadcast to Nigerians on Thursday, October 1, 2026, aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from Lagos.

He said, “We have endured war, military rule, economic crises, insecurity and political upheaval. Yet through it all, Nigeria, with the indomitable spirit of its people, has endured.

“It has endured through the efforts of the farmer who rises before dawn to work his land. The trader who opens her shop each morning, hopeful for a productive day. The teacher who believes in the children entrusted to her care and the young entrepreneur who refuses to surrender ambition to circumstance.

“We are grateful for the men and women of our Armed Forces and security services who place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us may live in peace.”

Tinubu said the continued belief of Nigerians in the country’s future represented the inheritance of independence.

“Through every difficulty, generations of Nigerians have continued to believe in one thing: that this country of ours will be better,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s independence was not merely about gaining a flag, an anthem or recognition among nations, but about giving citizens the freedom to shape their own destiny.