President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria has passed through its “Red Sea” following three years of difficult economic reforms, urging Nigerians to look ahead to what he described as a new “age of prosperity.”

Tinubu made the declaration in his Independence Day address to the nation on Thursday, as Nigeria marked 66 years of independence.

The President acknowledged that the reforms implemented by his administration had been painful, but insisted that they were necessary to correct economic distortions that had accumulated over decades.

“Reforms that followed were difficult. The side effects were real. Yet, we must never confuse the medicine with the disease,” Tinubu said.

He compared Nigeria’s pre-2023 economic condition to a patient suffering from cancer whose leaders had repeatedly opted for temporary relief instead of treating the underlying disease.

“For too long, Nigeria’s leaders chose morphine while praying for a miracle that never came,” he said.

Tinubu said the government had now completed what he described as the “emergency treatment” and repaired the economic foundation.

He said Nigeria’s economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, while inflation had fallen substantially from its peak, foreign reserves had been rebuilt and the foreign exchange market had stabilised.

He also cited declining oil theft and record non-oil export revenue of more than $6 billion in 2025 as evidence of improving economic resilience.

The President warned against reversing the reforms, particularly the return to what he called “the abuse of addictive subsidies.”

According to him, the country must now move from economic correction to broad-based prosperity.

“For three years, our overriding purpose was to correct our nation’s course. Now, our purpose is simple: shared and widespread prosperity,” he said.

Tinubu said the next phase would focus on reducing the cost of living, creating productive jobs, expanding agriculture and industry, and improving infrastructure.

He promised increased investment in mechanised farming, storage, transportation, roads, railways, ports, gas-powered industries, digital connectivity and skills development.

The President also acknowledged the hardship still facing millions of Nigerians, saying government intervention would continue through social support, education loans, consumer credit, healthcare and basic education.

“We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course,” he said.

Tinubu concluded with a biblical metaphor, telling Nigerians that the country had “passed through our own Red Sea.”

“This is not the time to look back,” he said. “Let us go forward together, with faith in ourselves, faith in our country, and faith that the sacrifices we have made will yield their reward.”

He described the Nigeria ahead as a “Promised Land” of abundance and opportunity.

“Our destination is in sight. Our foundations are strong. Our direction is clear. So let us go forward. No looking back.”