Abuja, Nigeria: The Federal Government has made tremendous progress in rail and water transportation over the last 28 months.
President Bola Tinubu said the development underscores sustained investments in rail lines, inland waterways, and supporting infrastructure.
Tinubu said this in his goodwill message to Nigerians as the nation marks its 65th Anniversary of Independence.
Tinubu noted that the achievement reflected progress in diversifying Nigeria’s transport system, moving beyond reliance on road networks to include water and rail.
“This administration is expanding transport infrastructure across the country, covering rail, roads, airports, and seaports.
“Rail and water transport grew by over 40 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively.
“The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing well on the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway.
“The Federal Executive Council recently approved three billion dollars to complete the Eastern Rail Project,” he said.
Tinubu said that his administration was working to build, repair and construct infrastructure that would uplift the country and sustain the growth and development of future generations.
He stated that due to the failures of past administrations to make necessary investments, the country suffered from deteriorated roads, seaports, railroads, and international airports that were comparable to those of the best in the world.
Tinubu, however, stated that his administration was setting things right and had turned a corner, paving the way for significant improvement and development.
According to him, the worst is over. I say yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief.
The president highlighted twelve remarkable economic milestones achieved as a result of implementing sound fiscal and monetary policies.
He highlighted the nation’s rapidly recovering economy, attributing the success to the reforms implemented during his leadership, which were now delivering tangible results.
“The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.23 per cent, Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Inflation declined to 20.12 per cent in August 2025, the lowest level in three years.
“We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with more than N20 trillion.
“In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411 per cent higher than the amount raised in May 2023. We have restored Fiscal Health: our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97 per cent to below 50 per cent.
“We have paid down the infamous ‘Ways and Means’ advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation,” he said.
Tinubu said that following the removal of the corrupt petroleum subsidy, the government had freed up trillions of Naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.
He highlighted Nigeria’s stronger foreign Reserve position compared to three years ago, stating that external reserves increased to 42.03 billion dollars in September, the highest since 2019.
Tinubu noted that the world was taking notice of Nigeria’s efforts and sovereign credit rating agencies had upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising its improved economic fundamentals.
He, however, acknowledged the temporary pains of Nigerians due to the numerous reforms, but stated that the macro-economic progress had proven that the reforms were justifiable.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that the accurate measure of success would not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather be translated into food in homes, quality of education, electricity, and security across the country.
He assured Nigerians that his administration was determined to stabilise the country at all levels and urged citizens to tap into the power of productivity, innovation, and enterprise to make the country great again.
