In an early morning New Year message, President Bola Tinubu touted his efforts to redeem Africa’s most populous nation from unprecedented hunger and economic distress.

The Nigerian leader, who promised to continue serving the people diligently and wholeheartedly, listed some of his so-called achievements in 2024 as millions of the country’s citizens grapple with the vice-grip of decrepit infrastructure, corruption, widespread poverty and wanton violence and insecurity.

Yet, Mr Tinubu said 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.

“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,” said Mr Tinubu.

While admitting that 2024 “posed numerous challenges to our citizens and households,” he expressed confidence that the New Year “will bring brighter days.”

According to him, 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,” the president explained.

However, Mr Tinubu said he remains “resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%” in 2025.

“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 president explained.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has slammed what it described as Mr Tinubu’s ruinous rule that has plunged the nation into unprecedented hunger and economic woes since the Civil War.