President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that 2026 will usher in a more prosperous, secure, and inclusive era, declaring that the nation is firmly on the path to sustained growth following bold economic and fiscal reforms.
In his New Year message on Thursday, the President said patience, fiscal discipline, and national unity would propel Nigeria into a stronger economic position in 2026, as his administration consolidates gains recorded over the past year.
According to Tinubu, 2025 marked a turning point, with his government sustaining the momentum of major reforms and implementing what he described as a “fiscal reset” that delivered measurable economic progress despite global headwinds.
“Despite persistent global economic challenges, we recorded tangible gains, particularly in the economy. These achievements reaffirm that the difficult but necessary reforms we embarked upon are yielding results, with even greater benefits on the horizon for the ordinary Nigerian,” he said.
Consolidating Economic Gains
The President said the focus in 2026 would be on deepening reforms and building a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economy. He noted that Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong footing, recording robust GDP growth in every quarter, with annual growth projected to exceed four per cent.
He added that the country maintained trade surpluses, achieved greater exchange rate stability, and recorded a steady decline in inflation, which dropped below 15 per cent in line with government targets.
“In 2026, we are determined to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household,” Tinubu said.
Highlighting capital market performance, the President disclosed that the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers in 2025, posting an impressive 48.12 per cent gain, while foreign reserves rose to $45.4 billion as of December 29, providing a strong buffer for the naira.
Foreign direct investment, he added, also rebounded sharply, rising to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the previous quarter—an indication of renewed investor confidence, affirmed by positive ratings from Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s.
Tax Reforms and Fiscal Stability
Tinubu said 2026 would mark a critical phase in the implementation of tax reforms aimed at harmonising Nigeria’s tax system, reducing multiple taxation, and easing the burden on citizens and businesses.
“We are confronting the challenge of excessive and multiple taxation across all tiers of government. Our tax reforms are designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria,” he said.
The reforms, according to him, will expand fiscal space for investment in infrastructure and human capital development, while ensuring sustainable revenue generation and shared prosperity.
Security, Policing, and National Stability
The President stressed that economic progress must go hand in hand with peace and security. He said Nigeria continued to confront criminal and terrorist threats but recorded significant successes through sustained military operations and international cooperation, including recent actions against terrorist targets in the Northwest.
In 2026, Tinubu said security and intelligence agencies would deepen collaboration with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security.
“I remain convinced that decentralised policing, with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, is critical to addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges,” he said.
Renewed Hope at the Grassroots
Tinubu also announced accelerated implementation of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aimed at empowering at least 10 million Nigerians by engaging no fewer than 1,000 people in each of the country’s 8,809 wards.
Through agriculture, trade, mining, and food processing, the programme will stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities, he said.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing infrastructure projects, including roads, power, ports, railways, airports, healthcare, education, and agriculture, assuring Nigerians that all projects would continue without interruption.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to embrace unity, patriotism, and shared responsibility in building the nation.
“Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our nation,” Tinubu said.
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2025-12-27