President Bola Tinubu has said 2026 will usher in a more robust phase of economic growth for Nigeria, expressing optimism that the new year will bring increased prosperity for the country and its citizens.
In his New Year message titled “2026 Marks the Beginning of a More Robust Phase of Economic Growth,” the President said reforms implemented by his administration were yielding tangible results and moving the economy in the right direction, with greater benefits expected for ordinary Nigerians.
Tinubu said the government sustained momentum on key reforms in 2025, including a fiscal reset, despite global economic headwinds. According to him, Nigeria recorded measurable gains, particularly in economic performance, which reaffirmed the necessity of the reforms.
He said the country closed 2025 on a strong note, recording robust quarterly GDP growth, with annual growth projected to exceed four per cent. He added that trade surpluses were maintained, exchange rate stability improved, and inflation declined steadily to below 15 per cent, in line with government targets.
The President also noted that the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers in 2025, posting a 48.12 per cent gain, while foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a buffer against external shocks. He expressed confidence that the reserves position would strengthen further in 2026.
On investment, Tinubu said foreign direct investment rose to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the previous quarter, reflecting renewed investor confidence. He said global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, had consistently affirmed Nigeria’s economic direction.
The President said his administration had laid a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity through critical reforms, stressing that moderation in inflation and interest rates would create more fiscal space for investment in infrastructure and human capital development.
He also highlighted efforts to address multiple taxation through tax harmonisation across all tiers of government, saying the reforms were aimed at raising revenue sustainably, reducing fiscal distortions and strengthening the capacity to finance infrastructure and social investments.
On security, Tinubu said economic progress must be accompanied by peace and stability, noting that Nigeria continued to face threats from criminal and terrorist elements. He said, in collaboration with international partners including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24, with sustained military operations ongoing across the Northwest and Northeast.
He assured that security and intelligence agencies would deepen cooperation with regional and global partners in 2026, reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting lives, property and the country’s territorial integrity. Tinubu also restated his support for decentralised policing with appropriate safeguards, alongside properly regulated forest guards.
Looking ahead, the President said the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme would be accelerated in 2026 to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 people in each of the country’s 8,809 wards. He added that investments in agriculture, trade, food processing, mining and infrastructure would continue without interruption.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, describing it as a shared responsibility.
He wished Nigerians a peaceful, productive and prosperous New Year, while pledging continued efforts to safeguard national peace, security and stability.
