President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the nation on Independence Day, marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary, and stated the country’s economic situation in 2023 was the “darkest” it had ever been. He attributed this to rising poverty levels and diminishing hope among citizens. According to President Tinubu, these dire circumstances necessitated the implementation of challenging economic reforms by his administration. The address was delivered in Abuja on Thursday, outlining the context for the difficult decisions being made. The President’s statement acknowledges the severity of the economic challenges facing Nigeria. These reforms aim to address the issues of poverty and restore optimism for the future of Nigeria. The full address was published by Vanguard News.