Below is a publication-ready NovexNews report based on the Channels Television report, with the criticism clearly attributed to Solomon Dalung and the President’s speech presented for context.
Solomon Dalung Faults Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech, Calls It ‘Empty’
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing the speech as “empty,” “wishful” and disappointing.
Dalung made the remarks on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, shortly after President Tinubu addressed Nigerians to mark the country’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The former minister said he expected the President’s national address to provide Nigerians with a clearer account of what the administration has achieved since taking office in 2023.
According to Dalung, an Independence Day speech from the President should have focused more on accountability and concrete results from the government’s reforms over the past three and a half years.
He also argued that the address should have given greater attention to some of the major challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, agriculture, unemployment, hunger, poverty, the economy and Nigeria’s foreign policy.
Dalung’s criticism came after Tinubu used his Independence Day broadcast to defend his administration’s economic reforms and outline what he described as Nigeria’s transition from an era of difficult reforms to an “age of prosperity.”
In his address, the President acknowledged that millions of Nigerians are still struggling with food, education, healthcare and transportation costs. He maintained, however, that many of the country’s difficulties accumulated over several decades and could not be completely resolved within four years.
Tinubu said his administration had taken difficult decisions to correct what he described as longstanding economic distortions. He pointed to economic growth, reduced inflation from its peak, rebuilt foreign reserves, a more stable foreign exchange market and increased non-oil export revenue as indicators of progress.
The President also outlined plans centred on lowering the cost of living, increasing agricultural production, expanding industrial activity, creating jobs and supporting young Nigerians and businesses.
However, Dalung maintained that the speech did not sufficiently address the realities facing Nigerians or demonstrate the level of accountability he expected from the government.
His comments add to the public reactions following the President’s Independence Day broadcast, as Nigerians and political figures continue to debate the impact of the Tinubu administration’s policies and the pace of economic recovery.
Nigeria marked 66 years of independence on October 1, 2026, with the President urging citizens to look ahead and work towards a more prosperous country.