READ FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT TINUBU’S INAUGURAL SPEECH.

My Fellow Citizens,
I stand before you honoured to assume the sacred mandate you have given me. My love for this nation is abiding. My confidence in its people, unwavering. And my faith in God Almighty, absolute. I know that His hand shall provide the needed moral strength and clarity of purpose in those instances when we seem to have reached the limits of our human capacity.
This day is bold and majestic yet bright and full of spirit, as is our precious nation.
As a nation, we have long ago decided to march beyond the dimness of night into the open day of renewed national hope.
We must now decide whether to stick to the work required to create a better society or to hide in the shadows of our untapped potential. I can think of only one solution. We are too strong a country and too firmly rooted as a people to deprive ourselves of our greatest potential. Millions of people have prayed for this country, and our collective sacrifices have influenced its journey.
We have faced challenges that might have caused other societies to disintegrate. The hope of a brighter future, however, merges with our enhanced ability to shape that future at this SUBLIME moment because we have carried the great load to get there. We have more solidly established this country as a democracy in both word and deed, surprising many but not ourselves
Our political heritage today emphasizes a smooth transition from one government to another. This transfer of power is a representation of our faith in God, our steadfast belief in representative government, and our confidence in our ability to remake this country into the kind of society it was always meant to be. Permit me to now address President Muhammadu Buhari, my predecessor. You have been a trustworthy, patriotic leader who has done your best for the country you adore, Mr. President. You are a deserving friend and partner, to put it more personally. I hope History treats you well.
Critics of Nigeria have been spreading the myth that our country will disintegrate or possibly perish for many years.
However, here we are. We have made mistakes along the way, but our tenacity and diversity have seen us through. Sometimes our burdens may cause us to stoop, but they will not ever cause us to fall. As the most populous country in Africa, the Black Race’s best hope, and its most steadfast defender, we stand out instead. As citizens, we therefore vow that Nigeria shall endure so long as this earth endures, as one unified people committed to one undivided national cause. The torch of human growth is now in our hands as Fate and Destiny come together. We cannot allow it to slip. We raise this flame aloft in order for it to shine on every home and in every heart that claims to be Nigerian. We raise this beam because it illuminates our way with kindness, unity, and peace. May this brilliant light never go out.
Although we will rule on your behalf, we will never be in charge of you. We will talk and consult, but we will never give orders. We will be inclusive of everyone and never disparage someone for possessing opinions that differ from our own. This nation needs to be further repaired and healed, not torn apart and damaged. In keeping with this, allow me to make a few observations about the election that led to this point. It was a competitive battle. Additionally, it was won fairly. Nigeria has not held an election of higher caliber since the establishment of the Fourth Republic. The result reflected the people’s wishes. However, despite winning, I am no more a Nigerian than my rivals. They are not any less patriotic as a result. They will always be considered my fellow citizens. And I shall treat them accordingly. They stand for significant constituencies and issues that wisdom would be foolish to dismiss. They have brought legal action on their behalf. They have the right to seek legal remedies, and I fully support them in exercising this right. The foundation of the rule of law is this.
Our founding ancestors valiantly sacrificed themselves more than 60 years ago to establish Nigeria as an independent country. The work done by those who came before us must never wither, but must instead blossom and give birth to a better world. Let us move forward with the mission they started and believed in. Let us renew our commitment to making Nigeria, regardless of creed, ethnicity, or place of origin, the indispensable home for each and every one of us. Thank you to all of my fans. I reach out across the aisle to folks who cast different ballots. I beg you to understand it in terms of brotherhood and national connection. Political overtones have vanished in my opinion. Nigerians are all I can see. May we sustain these excellent ideas as the new Nigerian standard.
My fellow citizens, The Nigerian ideal I am referring to is more comprehensive than only an increase in economic and other statistics. Although these items are significant, they can never fully communicate our story. Our goal is to make changes to our way of life that foster our humanity, promote kindness toward one another, and appropriately honor our group’s efforts to address the social issues that seek to divide us. We have a nation on paper thanks to our constitution and laws. By deepening the ties of economic cooperation, social solidarity, and cultural understanding, we must work harder to bring these beautiful documents to life. Let us cultivate a spirit of justice and equity among us. The South must recognize that good for the North advances its own interests in addition to seeking good for itself. The South must be seen similarly by the North. You are all my people, whether you come from the twisting creeks of the Niger Delta, the wide northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the humming capital of Abuja, or the bustling markets of Onitsha. As your president, I will act impartially toward everyone and with compassion for everyone.
My team will make critical details of our initiative public in the days and weeks to come. Today, allow me to briefly describe a few programs that embody our vision of progressive good governance in support of the Nigerian ideal: The simple guiding ideas for our administration are as follows:
1. Nigeria will be impartially administered in accordance with the law and the constitution.
2. We will protect the country from terrorism and all other types of criminal activity that put the peace and stability of both our nation and our area in danger.
3. We will restructure our economy to promote growth and development by generating jobs, ensuring food security, and putting an end to severe poverty.
4. Women and young people will take center stage in our administration.
5. To deter corruption and increase the efficacy and efficiency of the various anti-corruption institutions, our administration will continue to adopt proactive measures such promoting a credit culture. SECURITY Our administration’s main goal must be security because, in an environment of instability and violence, neither prosperity nor justice can triumph. Both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE will need to be changed if we are to effectively combat this threat. In order to enhance our investment in security professionals, we must do more than simply hire additional people. We will offer greater instruction, gear, salary, and firepower
OUR ECONOMY
In terms of the economy, our goals are to drastically lower unemployment and increase GDP growth. The following actions are what we plan to take to achieve this: First, there will be a budgetary reform that stimulates the economy without causing inflation. Second, industrial policy would make use of all available fiscal tools to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. Third, both homes and businesses will be able to obtain and afford electricity. Networks for transmission and distribution should be strengthened, and power generation should nearly double. States will be urged to create local sources as well. I want to let both domestic and foreign investors know that our government would look into all of their grievances regarding excessive taxation and other investment-inhibiting measures.
We will make sure that international corporations and investors return their hard-earned dividends and profits to their native countries. JOBS My administration must provide our youth with worthwhile opportunities. We will keep our promise from the campaign to create a million new employment in the digital sector. Additionally, our government will collaborate with the National Assembly to draft a comprehensive Jobs and Prosperity measure. This legislation would grant our administration the freedom to pursue labor-intensive infrastructure upgrades, support light industry, and enhance social services for the underprivileged, old, and vulnerable. Agriculture Commodity exchange boards must guarantee minimum prices for specific crops and animal products in order to protect rural incomes. There will be a national program for storage and other facilities to cut waste and spoiling.
To boost production and engage in value-added processing, agricultural centers will be established across the country. The livestock industry will be made aware of the best contemporary techniques and the measures taken to lessen the industry’s ongoing disputes over land and water resources. These steps will increase food availability while lowering its price. Farmers would make more money while paying less on average in Nigeria. More on President Tinubu Inaugural Speech INFRASTRUCTURE The Buhari administration’s work on infrastructure will continue. Priority should be given to developments in the national rail, road, and port networks.
FUEL SUBSIDY
We applaud the outgoing administration’s decision to phase out the fuel subsidy system, which has progressively favored the wealthy over the poor. In the context of depleting resources, subsidies can no longer be used to justify their ever-rising prices. Instead, we will reinvest the money in better public infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities that will significantly better millions of people’s lives. FINANCIAL POLITICS A comprehensive spring cleaning is required for monetary policy. To achieve a single exchange rate, the Central Bank must work. As a result, money will be diverted from arbitrage into significant investments in the machinery, tools, and employment that drive the actual economy. To promote consumer spending and investment in ways that support the economy at a greater level, interest rates must be decreased. Despite any conceptual virtues, considering the number of unbanked Nigerians, the CBN overly implemented the currency swap. A review of the policy is required. My administration will treat both currencies as legal money in the interim. INTERNAL POLICY
Please allow me to make a few foreign policy thoughts given the world we live in. It is urgently concerning that some countries in our near neighborhood have turned away from democracy and the catastrophe in Sudan. The peace and security of the African continent and the West African subregion must thus be my top priority in terms of foreign policy. To put an end to ongoing crises and prevent new ones, we will collaborate with ECOWAS, the AU, and other willing partners in the international community. We will restructure our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental search for collective prosperity while we contain challenges to peace.
Conclusion
The proudest day of my life is right now. However, I do not own this day. You, the Nigerian people, are the rightful owners. Nigeria proclaims on this day that it belongs among the major democracies of the globe. Nigeria will live there forever. We have arrived at this unique time thanks to the progression of our past and the promise of the future. So that the Nigerian ideal turns into and always stays the Nigerian reality, I want you to work with me to make Nigeria a more ideal country and democracy. Because I am the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I go by the name Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I can confidently state that these things are within our immediate reach. Godspeed, and may He also bless our cherished country.

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Federal University Otuoke to Host Public Lecture on Political Economy and National Integration
By Divine Perezide
Bayelsa State – The Faculty of Social Sciences at the Federal University Otuoke (FUO) is set to host a one-day public lecture on the pressing issues of local government council and state creation, as well as resource control in Nigeria. The event, themed “The Political Economy of Local Government Council/State Creation and Resource Control: Implications for National Integration in Nigeria,” is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
The venue for the event is the Prof Seth Accra Jaja School of Postgraduate Studies Conference Hall at FUO, and it promises to be a platform for robust discussions on governance, economic policy, and national unity.
The lecture will be graced by distinguished academics and experts in political economy. The Vice-Chancellor of FUO, Prof. Teddy Charles Adias, will serve as the Chief Host, while Prof. Francis A. Oluleye, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, will be the Host. The keynote speaker for the event is Prof. Benjamin Okaba, a renowned scholar and the President of the Ijaw National Congress.
This public lecture aims to provide insights into the socio-economic and political dynamics of state and local government administration in Nigeria. It will also explore how resource control impacts national integration, a subject of great significance in Nigeria’s federal system.
Academics, students, policymakers, and members of the public interested in governance and national development are encouraged to attend.
For further inquiries, interested participants can contact Dr. Anthony C. Okoye (08060101369) or Dr. Gboyega K. Oyeniran (08033872053).
Stay tuned for more updates on this event and other academic engagements at Federal University Otuoke.
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Ijaw National Congress President Urges Tinubu to Prioritize Nigerians Over Political Elites
By Christy David
Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on serving the interests of the Nigerian people rather than catering to a select political group. His remarks follow recent controversial actions by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
Okaba stressed the need for Tinubu to take a firm stance against the growing influence of political elites and fulfill his commitments to the nation. “The president is tactically being unfair to Nigerians and encouraging Wike to keep doing more. It’s not fair,” he stated. “Nigerians expect so much from you, and that is why they voted massively for you. Serve the people, not a cabal.”
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Okaba voiced concerns over Wike’s involvement in political activities in Bayelsa, particularly regarding planned rallies in the state. He condemned these actions as unfair and divisive, arguing that they worsen political tensions in the Niger Delta.
Okaba pointed to the upcoming rallies on April 12, where opposing groups are expected to gather at the same venue, as a deliberate attempt to manipulate the political climate. He accused Wike of using these events to advance personal interests at the expense of the Ijaw people.
Describing Wike’s actions as a direct challenge to the Ijaw nation, Okaba criticized the former governor’s inflammatory rhetoric and the transformation of welcome rallies into platforms for political crises.
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IPF Visit Burutu for On-the-spot Assessment as Dr. Takeme Reiterates Commitment to Sustaining Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda
By Favour Bibaikefie
The Executive Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area in Delta State, Dr. Julius Takeme, has reaffirmed his dedication to sustainable development across the council in consonance with the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori MORE agenda. He made this commitment on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by members of the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) at the local government secretariat.
The visit marked the beginning of an inspection tour by the IPF, a coalition of media executives, across Ijaw local government areas nationwide.
In his address to the IPF delegation, Takeme emphasized that his administration is committed to the MORE AGENDA, a developmental initiative championed by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. He highlighted that within one year, Burutu Local Government has witnessed significant infrastructural improvements under his leadership.
“Guided by Governor Oborevwori’s MORE AGENDA, our administration has undertaken numerous visible infrastructural projects in Burutu,” Takeme stated. “This mandate has driven us to prioritize the transformation of Burutu, leading to the construction of a combined one-kilometer internal road network.”
The Olotu of Obotebe Kingdom further noted that his administration has invested in critical sectors such as public health, sanitation, housing, and civil servant welfare. He pointed out that several senior council officers had previously faced challenging working conditions, which his administration has actively addressed.
Takeme listed key intervention projects, including the renovation of health centers in Labulouseigha and Ofougbene communities, the construction and renovation of senior staff quarters, and the building of residential quarters for the President of the Customary Court. Additional projects include the construction of three modern public toilets, distribution of essential medicines to health centers, and the employment of over 2,000 women to maintain cleanliness within the local government headquarters.
He further disclosed that several other projects are in the pipeline and will be officially commissioned as part of his administration’s one-year anniversary celebrations.
IPF President and Niger Delta activist, Comrade Austin Ozobo, who also serves as the Publisher of Congress Newspaper, explained that the forum’s tour aims to evaluate governance and development across Ijaw communities. He commended Takeme for his efforts and urged him to sustain the momentum in delivering essential services and infrastructure to the people of Burutu.