Dare Babalola
President Bola Tinubu’s 65th Independence Anniversary speech has failed to resonate with many Nigerians, who feel that his words did not reflect the harsh realities of life in the country. Despite the President’s optimistic tone and promises of a brighter future, many citizens remain skeptical about the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
The speech, which was broadcast nationwide on Wednesday, highlighted the government’s achievements and outlined plans for future development. However, Nigerians said they are increasingly frustrated with the rising cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment.
Critics argued that the President’s speech was long on rhetoric but short on concrete solutions to the country’s problems. They pointed out that despite the government’s claims of progress, many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet, and the economy remains in a precarious state.
Many Nigerians took to social media to express their disappointment and frustration with the President’s speech. They argued that the government’s priorities are misplaced and that more needs to be done to address the country’s pressing challenges.
The President’s assertion that the dawn of a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria is here was met with widespread skepticism. Many Nigerians feel that the country is far from achieving these goals and that the government’s policies have actually made life more difficult for many citizens.
Many of the reactions were taken from the responses to the post of “National Broadcast By His Excellency Bola Ahned Tinubu, Gcfr, President Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria On The 65th Independence Anniversary Of Nigeria, October 1, 2025” shared on X by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga.
Ayo Aluko wrote, “Same rhetoric, lacking substance. You hate civil servants with passion, just their little stipend, you can’t pay even on the Independence Day celebration. We won’t forget, the time of reckoning is here. Nonsensical!”
“Economic numbers don’t feed the families terrorized by bandits. Real independence starts with security,” were the words of Nana Aesha.
An X account with the name, Nigerian youths for Atiku, wrote “Oga Bayo, your Independence post sweet pass chin-chin, but e no fit hide the wahala wey Tinubu don bring. You talk say ‘economy dey boom’ with foreign investors? Chai, which boom? The one wey dey make naira do gbese like bad debtor?”
“At 65 years of independence, yet the same story: Bad leaders, bribery, insecurity, kidnapping, terrorism, hunger, poverty and corruption are destroying the dream of a great Nigeria,” Adnan Abdullahi lamented.
“We all know this is an epistle of complete nonsense. A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens, and downplays the Islamic terrorist take over isn’t a nation to be taken seriously. As we read the nonsense coming from Tinubu, Nigerians are losing their lives in the hands of terrorists,” Stephen Emmanuel decried.
Gilbert Peter wrote, “A country where terrorists are called ‘repentant’. A country where military officers are subjected to inhumane treatment and still choose to die for the nation. A country where the government negotiates with bandits and the army watches over them during the negotiation process. Nigeria @65.”
Idris A. Oni PhD said, “No mention of Oke-ode, no mention of Kwara, no mention of the situation in the North or I missed it. If they were mentioned, someone should please show them to me. If they were indeed missed, then, this is useless and highly disappointing. The very first and most important responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property. If lives are unsafe, what’s the use of the statistics?”
According to Mpa Ezenwa, “The mindless Tinubu has the audacity to shamelessly call IPOB a terrorist group that no international community has ever proscribed them or because he is evilly benefiting and has devilishly forgotten how OPC massacred people in SW many years ago? Shame on you @officialABAT.”
“Whenever security is mentioned we are working hard. But in the North, you are negotiating with terrorists while in the East innocent youths who are pushing an agenda for self-determination are arrested and killed. That’s not how a government should be. The world is watching,” Kartatizo stated.
Kingsley fumed, “This bunch of liars will never stop showing the world their lying tongues, since independence what economic growth has Nigeria experienced? Do you mean there is social cohesion in Nigeria as of today Oct 1st, 2025 when people are being slaughtered in their homes every day?
“Peace has not been restored in the north west region, imagine the president that has not been in Zamfara since January, 2023 is the one shouting that many communities have been liberated what a shame,” Abdullahi Aminu responded.
