President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that 2026 will usher in a more robust phase of economic growth for Nigeria, following what he described as a major fiscal reset achieved in 2025.
In his New Year goodwill message to the nation, the president said his administration recorded steady macroeconomic improvements in 2025 despite global economic headwinds, expressing confidence that recent reforms are beginning to deliver measurable benefits to the economy and citizens.
Tinubu pledged to consolidate reform gains in the new year, deepen fiscal discipline, and expand inclusive growth aimed at lifting millions of Nigerians into productive economic activity.
Inflation, Growth and Investor Confidence
The president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to further reducing inflation in 2026, sustaining economic growth above 4 percent, and strengthening investor confidence.
According to Tinubu, Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong economic footing, with consistent quarterly GDP growth, improved exchange rate stability, trade surpluses, and declining inflation, which he said fell below 15 percent, in line with government targets.
He also highlighted strong capital market performance, noting that the Nigerian Stock Exchange recorded a 48.12 percent gain in 2025, outperforming several global peers.
Foreign reserves, he said, stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a solid buffer against external shocks, while foreign direct investment rose sharply to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting renewed investor confidence.
Tax Reforms and Fiscal Discipline
Tinubu commended state governments that have aligned with the federal government’s tax harmonisation agenda, saying it would reduce the burden of multiple taxation on businesses and households.
He said the implementation of tax reforms in 2026 would help build a fair, competitive, and sustainable fiscal framework, improve revenue mobilisation, and strengthen the government’s ability to fund infrastructure and social investments.
The president stressed that harmonised tax laws would address fiscal distortions while easing pressure on citizens and businesses.
Renewed Hope Programme and Inclusive Growth
As part of efforts to promote inclusive growth, Tinubu announced plans to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity through the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme.
The initiative aims to empower at least 1,000 people in each of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards, stimulating grassroots economies through agriculture, trade, food processing, mining, and small-scale enterprise development.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued investment in roads, power, ports, railways, airports, healthcare, education, agriculture, and food security, assuring that all ongoing projects would continue without interruption.
Security and National Stability
On security, Tinubu acknowledged ongoing threats from criminal and terrorist groups but said decisive actions had been taken in collaboration with international partners to counter insecurity, particularly in the North-west and North-east.
He said Nigeria’s security agencies would deepen cooperation with regional and global partners in 2026 and reiterated support for decentralised policing structures with appropriate safeguards.
Call for Unity and Shared Responsibility
The president called on Nigerians to embrace unity, patriotism, and shared responsibility in nation-building, stressing that sustainable growth requires collective effort.
He expressed optimism that 2026 would be a more prosperous year for the nation and its people, wishing citizens peace, productivity, and progress in the new year.
