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BREAKING: Full text of President Tinubu’s broadcast to Nigerians

Published

3 years ago

July 31, 2023

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu had on Monday addressed Nigerians on national television in a speech which titled “After darkness comes the glorious Dawn” said his administration will ease the pain of workers.

The full speech reads below:

AFTER DARKNESS COMES THE GLORIOUS DAWN

My fellow citizens,
I want to talk to you about our economy. It is important that you understand the reasons for the policy measures I have taken to combat the serious economic challenges this nation has long faced.

2. I am not going to talk in difficult terms by dwelling on economic jargon and concepts. I will speak in plain, clear language so that you know where I stand. More importantly, so that you see and hopefully will share my vision regarding the journey to a better, more productive economy for our beloved country.

3. For several years, I have consistently maintained the position that the fuel subsidy had to go. This once beneficial measure had outlived its usefulness. The subsidy cost us trillions of Naira yearly. Such a vast sum of money would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing and even national security. Instead, it was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals.

4. This group had amassed so much wealth and power that they became a serious threat to the fairness of our economy and the integrity of our democratic governance. To be blunt, Nigeria could never become the society it was intended to be as long as such small, powerful yet unelected groups hold enormous influence over our political economy and the institutions that govern it.

5. The whims of the few should never hold dominant sway over the hopes and aspirations of the many. If we are to be a democracy, the people and not the power of money must be sovereign.

6. The preceding administration saw this looming danger as well. Indeed, it made no provision in the 2023 Appropriations for subsidy after June this year. Removal of this once helpful device that had transformed into a millstone around the country’s neck had become inevitable.

7. Also, the multiple exchange rate system that had been established became nothing but a highway of currency speculation. It diverted money that should have been used to create jobs, build factories and businesses for millions of people. Our national wealth was doled on favourable terms to a handful of people who have been made filthy rich simply by moving money from one hand to another. This too was extremely unfair.

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8. It also compounded the threat that the illicit and mass accumulation of money posed to the future of our democratic system and its economy.

9. I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting the major imbalances that had plagued our economy. Ending the subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation. Much is in the balance.

10. Thus, the defects in our economy immensely profited a tiny elite, the elite of the elite you might call them. As we moved to fight the flaws in the economy, the people who grow rich from them, predictably, will fight back through every means necessary.

11. Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love.

12. What I can offer in the immediate is to reduce the burden our current economic situation has imposed on all of us, most especially on businesses, the working class and the most vulnerable among us.

13. Already, the Federal Government is working closely with states and local governments to implement interventions that will cushion the pains of our people across socio-economic brackets.

14. Earlier this month, I signed four (4) Executive Orders in keeping with my electoral promise to address unfriendly fiscal policies and multiple taxes that are stifling the business environment. These Executive Orders on suspension and deferred commencement of some taxes will provide the necessary buffers and headroom to businesses in manufacturing sector to continue to thrive and expand.

15. To strengthen the manufacturing sector, increase its capacity to expand and create good paying jobs, we are going to spend N75 billion between July 2023 and March 2024. Our objective is to fund 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start a sustainable economic growth, accelerate structural transformation and improve productivity. Each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1billion credit at 9% per annum with maximum of 60 months repayment for long term loans and 12 months for working capital.

16. Our administration recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector as drivers of growth. We are going to energise this very important sector with N125 billion.

17. Out of the sum, we will spend N50 billion on Conditional Grant to 1 million nano businesses between now and March 2024. Our target is to give N50,000 each to 1,300 nano business owners in each of the 774 local governments across the country.

18. Ultimately, this programme will further drive financial inclusion by onboarding beneficiaries into the formal banking system. In like manner, we will fund 100,000 MSMEs and start-ups with N75 billion. Under this scheme, each enterprise promoter will be able to get between N500,000 to N1million at 9% interest per annum and a repayment period of 36 months.

19. To further ensure that prices of food items remain affordable, we have had a multi-stakeholder engagement with various farmers’ associations and operators within the agricultural value chain.

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20. In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable. To this end, I have ordered release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices. We are also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda.

21. Our plan to support cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course. To be specific, N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly will be disbursed as follows:

-Our administration will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize.
-N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava.

22. This expansive agricultural programme will be implemented targeting small-holder farmers and leveraging large-scale private sector players in the agric business with strong performance record.

23. In this regard, the expertise of Development Finance Institutions, commercial banks and microfinance banks will be tapped into to develop a viable and an appropriate transaction structure for all stakeholders.

24. Fellow Nigerians, I made a solemn pledge to work for you. How to improve your welfare and living condition is of paramount importance to me and it’s the only thing that keeps me up day and night.

25. It is in the light of this that I approved Infrastructure Support Fund for the States. This new Infrastructure Fund will enable States to intervene and invest in critical areas and bring relief to many of the pain points as well as revamp our decaying healthcare and educational Infrastructure.

26. The fund will also bring improvements to rural access roads to ease evacuation of farm produce to markets. With the fund, our states will become more competitive and on a stronger financial footing to deliver economic prosperity to Nigerians.

27. Part of our programme is to roll out buses across the states and local governments for mass transit at a much more affordable rate. We have made provision to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses.

28. These buses will be shared to major transportation companies in the states, using the intensity of travel per capital. Participating transport companies will be able to access credit under this facility at 9% per annum with 60 months repayment period.

29. In the same vein, we are also working in collaboration with the Labour unions to introduce a new national minimum wage for workers. I want to tell our workers this: your salary review is coming.

30. Once we agree on the new minimum wage and general upward review, we will make budget provision for it for immediate implementation.

31. I want to use this opportunity to salute many private employers in the Organised Private Sector who have already implemented general salary review for employees.

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32. Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there is no doubt about it that it is tough on us. But I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All of our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work.

33. Sadly, there was an unavoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully on line. However, we are swiftly closing the time gap. I plead with you to please have faith in our ability to deliver and in our concern for your well-being.

34. 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.

35. In a little over two months, we have saved over a trillion Naira that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters. That money will now be used more directly and more beneficially for you and your families.

36. For example, we shall fulfill our promise to make education more affordable to all and provide loans to higher education students who may need them. No Nigerian student will have to abandon his or her education because of lack of money.

37. Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. On this principle, we shall never falter.

38. We are also monitoring the effects of the exchange rate and inflation on gasoline prices. If and when necessary, we will intervene.

39. I assure you my fellow country men and women that we are exiting the darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn.

40. Now, I must get back to work in order to make this vision come true.

41. Thank you all for listening and may God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Related Topics:broadcast Featured Nigerians President Tinubu

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Army Arrests Two Soldiers for Acting as Bouncers at TikToker Peller’s Lavish Lagos Wedding

Published

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August 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Army Arrests Two Soldiers for Acting as Bouncers at TikToker Peller’s Lavish Lagos Wedding

The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged involvement in providing unauthorised private security at the lavish wedding ceremony of popular TikTok personality Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, and fellow content creator Jarvis in Lekki, Lagos State. Military sources confirmed that the arrests followed credible intelligence indicating that the soldiers participated in an illegal deployment during the star-studded event held over the weekend. The two personnel were apprehended on Tuesday morning as investigations commenced into the incident. The arrested soldiers have been identified as Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa, with service number 23NA/85/10007, and Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, with service number 23NA/85/7885. Both are attached to the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) in Obalende, Lagos.

The arrests came after videos from the high-profile wedding circulated widely on social media, showing uniformed military personnel providing security services and controlling access to parts of the venue. One widely shared clip allegedly showed a soldier acting as a personal bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna, escorting her through the crowded venue. The footage triggered widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning why serving military personnel were allegedly deployed to a private social event involving influencers and celebrities. The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in illegal deployments without official approval. A military source stated: “Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested the personnel. Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident.”

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Peller and Jarvis’ wedding, held on August 1, 2026, attracted several prominent entertainers, social media influencers, and content creators. The couple, who have built a massive following through TikTok livestreams and relationship content, had about 400 guests expected to wear the wedding Aso Ebi, with the eight-yard version priced at ₦700,000. Videos from the ceremony dominated social media platforms, with large crowds of fans and guests in attendance. The event became one of the most talked-about celebrity occasions of the weekend, but controversy soon followed after clips surfaced showing men in military uniforms managing access to parts of the venue and escorting some attendees.

The Nigerian Army is now investigating whether the soldiers acted on their own, received unofficial instructions, or were involved through another channel. The military has reiterated its commitment to professionalism and discipline, stating that any personnel found to have violated regulations will be sanctioned in accordance with the Armed Forces Act. Military sources said the soldiers would face disciplinary proceedings if the ongoing investigation establishes that they breached military regulations. The Army emphasised that military uniforms, weapons, and official authority must never be used for personal gain or private commercial engagements. At the time of this report, there is no indication that Peller or the event organisers are under investigation, and neither party has publicly reacted to the development. The focus of the military inquiry remains on the conduct of the soldiers and whether any superior officer or other authority approved their participation.

Army Arrests Two Soldiers for Acting as Bouncers at TikToker Peller’s Lavish Lagos Wedding

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Canada Deports 205 Nigerians, 10,607 Illegal Immigrants in June Crackdown

Published

4 hours ago

August 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Canada Deports 205 Nigerians, 10,607 Illegal Immigrants in June Crackdown

No fewer than 205 Nigerian nationals were among the 10,607 illegal immigrants deported from Canada in June 2026, according to official data released by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) , as the Canadian government intensified enforcement of its immigration laws. The latest Immigration Removal Statistics show that Nigeria accounted for nearly two per cent of all deportations during the month, ranking 9th among the countries with the highest number of immigration removals for the first half of 2026. India recorded the highest number of deportations, with 3,323 nationals removed, followed by Mexico with 1,573, Haiti with 431, and the United States with 372. Other countries with significant numbers of nationals deported included Colombia (354), Romania (293), Bangladesh (227), Pakistan (207), and Chile (190), according to the CBSA data.

The latest figures bring the total number of Nigerians deported from Canada to 643 between January 2025 and June 2026, making Nigeria the only African country to appear among the top 10 nationalities removed from Canada during the period. Data shows that 438 Nigerians were deported in 2025, placing Nigeria 10th among countries with the highest number of immigration removals that year. Between January and June 2026, another 205 Nigerians were deported, moving the country to 9th position on the list.

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The deportation figures for Nigeria have fluctuated over the past six years: 302 Nigerians were deported in 2020, 242 in 2021, and 200 in 2022. Nigeria dropped out of the top 10 list in 2023 and 2024 before returning in 2025. For the first six months of 2026, the top nationalities removed were India (3,323), Mexico (1,573), Haiti (431), United States (372), Colombia (354), Romania (293), Bangladesh (227), Pakistan (207), Nigeria (205), and Chile (190).

According to the CBSA, the vast majority of deportations resulted from non-compliance with Canada’s immigration laws , particularly involving refugee claimants. In 2025, 19,225 removals involved refugee claimants found inadmissible due to non-compliance, while 2,549 non-claimants were removed on similar grounds. Other deportations were linked to criminality , organized crime , misrepresentation , and other violations under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Canada has significantly increased immigration enforcement in recent years. Total deportations rose from 12,858 in 2020 to a record 23,160 in 2025. In the first half of 2026 alone, the country recorded 10,607 enforced removals, suggesting another high-deportation year is likely if the current trend continues. The CBSA is currently removing approximately 400 inadmissible individuals every week. Through Canada’s Border Plan, the agency received $30.4 million to strengthen its capacity to complete 20,000 removals annually. As of June 30, 2026, the CBSA reported 40,827 removal cases in progress , while its overall immigration enforcement inventory exceeded 572,000 active files. The agency has also stepped up enforcement against individuals linked to extortion-related activities. As of June 18, 2026, the CBSA had opened 484 immigration investigations, issued 139 removal orders, and removed 81 individuals in connection with extortion cases. In the Pacific Region, 46 individuals have been removed; in the Greater Toronto Area, 17; and in the Prairie Region, 18. Commenting on the enforced removals, the CBSA said: “Removing individuals who do not have the right to enter or stay in Canada is essential to maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration program and to ensuring fairness for those who come to this country lawfully.”

Canada Deports 205 Nigerians, 10,607 Illegal Immigrants in June Crackdown

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2027: Sultan of Sokoto Dismisses Claims of Backing Tinubu’s Re-election

Published

4 hours ago

August 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III

2027: Sultan of Sokoto Dismisses Claims of Backing Tinubu’s Re-election

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has firmly dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that he endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that he has no favourite candidate and remains above partisan politics. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Team and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the revered traditional ruler described the reports as false and misleading, urging Nigerians to disregard what it called a “malicious and unpatriotic attempt to drag the revered personality of the Sultan into partisan politics for selfish interests.” “Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement read in part.

The Media Team emphasised that the Sultan occupies a unique position as both a traditional and religious leader whose responsibility is to serve all Nigerians without political bias. The statement stressed that his role requires him to remain impartial while offering guidance and blessings to all Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations. “Let it be made clear once again that the institutions of monarchy and religion led by the Sultan are institutions of a father figure. As such, His Eminence cannot but remain within the purview of that role by offering fatherly, royal and spiritual blessings, as well as guidance, to Nigerian politicians who seek his counsel and blessings,” the statement said. The monarch noted that his doors remain open to all Nigerians, irrespective of political persuasion, and that his willingness to receive politicians should not be interpreted as support for any individual or party. “The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination,” the media team added.

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The clarification follows the circulation of posts on social media alleging that the Sultan had openly endorsed Tinubu for another term in office. Some claims suggested that the Sultan declared Tinubu as “our only choice” and demanded the creation of a Fulani commission during a television appearance. However, fact-checking organisation Dubawa traced the viral claim to a video recorded during the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Conference of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) held in Abuja on July 30, 2026. A review of the full speech showed that the Sultan was not discussing the 2027 presidential election or endorsing President Tinubu for a second term. Translated from Hausa, the Sultan was actually commending President Tinubu for establishing the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and expressing support for the government’s livestock reforms, not endorsing his re-election bid. The Sultan’s remarks were taken out of context and misrepresented to create a false impression.

The Media Team reiterated that the Sultan remains committed to promoting peace, unity, stability, and harmonious coexistence across the country, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political differences. It called on members of the public to reject any attempt to misrepresent the Sultan’s position or associate him with the political campaign or candidacy of any individual ahead of the 2027 general elections. The statement further appealed to media practitioners and social media users to exercise responsibility and restraint by verifying information before circulating reports capable of misleading the public or unnecessarily dragging revered traditional and religious institutions into partisan political controversies.

As the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Sultan has consistently projected himself as a non-partisan national figure, receiving politicians across party lines while advocating peace, dialogue, and national unity rather than political endorsements. The clarification comes amid increasing political activities and speculations ahead of the 2027 general election, with prominent national figures and traditional rulers often becoming subjects of political claims and endorsements on social media. By firmly rejecting the reports, the Sultan reaffirmed his commitment to remaining above partisan politics while continuing to promote national cohesion and equal treatment for all Nigerians, regardless of their political preferences.