NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS

Fellow Nigerians,

As we enter 2025, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. May you be rich in joy, success, and good health.

As the new year dawns, it brings many hopes, aspirations, and prospects for better days. By the grace of God, 2025 will be a year of great promise in which we will fulfill our collective desires.

Though 2024 posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households, I am confident that the New Year will bring brighter days.

Economic indicators point to a positive and encouraging outlook for our nation. Fuel prices have gradually decreased, and we recorded foreign trade surpluses in three consecutive quarters. Foreign reserves have risen, and the Naira has strengthened against the US dollar, bringing greater stability.

The stock market’s record growth has generated trillions of naira in wealth, and the surge in foreign investment reflects renewed confidence in our economy. Nevertheless, the cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households in 2024.

In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting food production and promoting local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

The Company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.

This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth. It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people.

On a personal note, thank you for placing your confidence in me as your president. Your trust humbles me, and I promise to continue serving you diligently and wholeheartedly.

We will continue to embark on necessary reforms to foster sustainable growth and prosperity for our nation.

I seek your cooperation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united.

We are on the right path to building a great Nigeria that will work for everyone. Let us not get distracted by a tiny segment of our population that still sees things through the prisms of politics, ethnicity, region, and religion.

CITIZENSHIP

To achieve our national goals and objectives, we must become better citizens and uncompromising in our devotion and allegiance to Nigeria.

Citizens’ moral rectitude and faith in our country are fundamental to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda. In 2025, we will commit to promoting adherence to ethical principles, shared values, and beliefs under the National Identity Project.

I will unveil the National Values Charter, already approved by the Federal Executive Council, in the first quarter of 2025. I will launch an ambitious national orientation campaign that fosters patriotism and love for our country and inspires citizens to rally together. The Charter will promote mutual commitments between the government and citizens and foster trust and cooperation among our diverse population and between the government and the citizens.

As far-reaching and foundational as our reforms are, they can produce the desired outcomes only through shared common values and identities and unconditional love for our country.

The Youth Confab will begin in the first quarter of 2025, a testament to our commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders. The Ministry of Youth will soon announce the modalities for selecting the conference’s representatives from our diverse, youthful population.

Dear Compatriots, I urge you to continue believing in yourselves and keeping faith in our blessed country.

Let me use this New Year’s message to urge our governors and local council chairpersons to work closely with the central government to seize emerging opportunities in agriculture, livestock, and tax reforms and move our nation forward. I commend governors who have embraced our Compressed Natural Gas initiative by launching CNG-propelled public transport. I also congratulate those who have adopted electric vehicles as part of our national energy mix and transition. The Federal Government will always offer necessary assistance to the states.

To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain over the past 19 months. I assure you they will not be in vain even in the months ahead. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building.

The New Year will bring us closer to the bright future we all desire and the Nigeria of our dreams.

God bless you all, and may God bless our beloved country, Nigeria.

Happy New Year and a prosperous 2025 to you all!

Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

January 1, 2025

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed Oyeniyi Adebayo as Chief of Staff, effective Thursday.

Adebayo, currently the Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management, will oversee the coordination of activities in the Governor’s Office.

Announcing the appointment in a statement, the governor’s Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said, “Mr. Adebayo brings a wealth of experience in finance, management, and planning to his new role. His expertise will be critical in ensuring the efficient operation of the Governor’s Office.”

Adebayo, from Usi-Ekiti, joined the Oyebanji administration in November 2022 as Special Adviser on Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management before being elevated to commissioner in August 2023.

In related developments, Femi Ajayi has been appointed as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, effective Thursday.

Ajayi, who had previously held this position, currently serves as Special Adviser to the Governor in the Independent Project Monitoring Office.

On the restructuring of the ministry, Oyebode explained, “The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will revert to its original name from January 2, 2025, reflecting its renewed focus and mandate under Hon. Ajayi.”

Governor Oyebanji also announced the creation of the Office of Special Services, to be headed by Prince Wole Ajakaiye as Special Adviser.

Ajakaiye, the current Director General/Special Adviser on SDGs, will oversee Sustainable Development Goals, Independent Project Monitoring, and other responsibilities.

Speaking on Ajakaiye’s appointment, the governor said, “Prince Ajakaiye’s leadership has been instrumental in driving SDG-related initiatives, and I am confident he will bring the same dedication to his expanded role.”

Additionally, Tajudeen Akingbolu has been appointed Director General of the Ekiti State Transport Agency, effective January 2, 2025.

A former member of the state House of Assembly, Akingbolu will manage the newly established agency.

Oyebode said, “These appointments reflect Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to harnessing the skills and experience of competent individuals to drive Ekiti State’s development agenda.”