President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he never imagined he would one day have the opportunity to lead Nigeria as its president.
Tinubu made the remark while addressing Nigerians in Brazil during his state visit, where he engaged with the diaspora community and encouraged them to remain united in projecting Nigeria’s image positively.
“I didn’t believe the opportunity of becoming president would come to me, but it did,” Tinubu said. “Now that I am in charge, I am committed to fulfilling that dream.”
The president urged Nigerians abroad to be proud representatives of the country. He praised the cultural bonds uniting citizens and emphasised the government’s ongoing reforms aimed at economic recovery.
According to him, the reforms may initially be difficult, but like “bitter medication,” they are necessary to restore the nation’s health and lay the foundation for prosperity. “We can manufacture, develop, design and build a nation that works purposefully and prosperously for all of us,” he told the gathering.
Drawing comparisons with Brazil, Tinubu noted that both countries were once on the same level of development, but Nigeria had since fallen behind. He said his administration was determined to close that gap through courage, foresight, and commitment.
“Our priority is development. Nigeria has the resources, the brains, the energy, the youth, and the population. There is nothing we set our minds to that we cannot achieve,” he said.
