Below, I unpack their reaction, highlight key themes from the President’s speech, and reflect on what this moment might mean for Nigeria’s future.
The Arewa Think Tank Speaks: Gratitude, Hope, and a Call to Unity
In a statement issued by Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, Convener of ATT, the group praised President Tinubu’s address as a “call to action” for every Nigerian. They saw in it a rallying cry — to believe again in the promise of the nation and to work collectively toward a brighter future.
ATT singled out three main strands in Tinubu’s message:
1. National Unity: The group viewed the President’s emphasis on unity not as mere rhetoric, but as a necessary foundation for progress.
2. Optimism and Hope: The message of boundless potential, as Yakubu put it, is one that Nigeria needs “at the moment.”
3. Recognition of Progress: ATT acknowledged the milestones hinted in the speech, economic growth, better infrastructure, improved foreign reserves, as evidence of the administration’s vision.
Ultimately, ATT urged Nigerians to “heed the call” to join hands, persistently, in nation-building.
Key Themes from Tinubu’s 65th Independence Address
To understand why ATT and others reacted favorably, it’s helpful to revisit some of the standout elements of the President’s speech.
1. Reflecting on the Journey
Tinubu began by invoking the memory of Nigeria’s founding luminaries, from Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello to Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and reminding citizens of the original dream: a united, prosperous, self-reliant nation.
He acknowledged that the journey has been strewn with trials civil war, coups, political crises but argued that Nigeria has endured by virtue of resilience and unity.
2. Economic Reforms & Milestones
Much of the speech detailed the economic measures and indicators that the Tinubu administration says it has delivered:
Growth and inflation: The second quarter of 2025 recorded 4.23 % GDP growth, surpassing IMF projections. Inflation in August fell to 20.12 %.
Revenue and fiscal stability: Non-oil revenue crossed ₦20 trillion by August 2025; debt servicing declined; “ways and means” advances were paid off.
Foreign reserves & trade balance: Reserves stood at $42.03 billion; Nigeria recorded a trade surplus in five consecutive quarters.
Diversification & exports: Non-oil exports now make up nearly half of Nigeria’s exports, and local manufacturing is rising.
Infrastructure & social investment: Investment is being directed to roads, railways, power, education, and health. The social investment programme disbursed ₦330 billion to vulnerable households.
These numbers and reforms formed the backbone of the President’s argument that the country is at a turning point.
3. A Call to Individual and Collective Duty
Beyond metrics, Tinubu’s address struck a moral and motivational chord. He explicitly challenged citizens to:
Believe again: Reignite faith in Nigeria’s potential.
Be producers, not consumers: Embrace agriculture, manufacturing, and innovation.
Support local industry: Patronize “Made in Nigeria” goods.
Embrace accountability: Pay taxes, participate in governance, demand better.
He painted the challenges, inflation, the cost of living as painful but necessary discomforts on the path to a more sustainable future.
Why ATT’s Endorsement Matters
The Arewa Think Tank’s public commendation is significant on several levels:
Regional endorsement: When a prominent northern civil society grouping lauds the President’s message, it may help reduce suspicion or regional polarization.
Narrative reinforcement: Their approval adds validation to Tinubu’s narrative of reform and unity, making it harder for critics to dismiss the speech as hollow rhetoric.
Mobilizing civil buy-in: ATT’s call for collective effort can help convert a speech into action, encouraging citizens to take personal responsibility in their communities.
Yet, endorsement alone is not enough. The real test lies in translating vision into results, in measurable improvements in lives, services, and governance.
A Balanced Reflection
No address, no matter how rhetorically strong, can erase Nigeria’s challenges overnight. Madagascar remains complex: insecurity in many regions, poverty, infrastructural gaps, corruption, and public skepticism. But speeches serve as momentary galvanizers , if backed by consistency, accountability, and feedback.
Tinubu’s 65th Independence Day address aimed to turn a page, to reorient the national psyche toward possibility. The Arewa Think Tank’s positive reception shows that many are willing to lean in, at least rhetorically. For this moment to be meaningful, that reception must evolve into sustained pressure, collective discipline, and vigilant evaluation.
By SUNDAY UNEKWUOJO SAMSON