President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that 2026 will mark the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth, expressing confidence that the new year will be more prosperous for the nation, its citizens and all who call Nigeria home.
In his New Year message entitled ‘2026 Marks the Beginning of a More Robust Phase of Economic Growth’, the President said the reforms undertaken by his administration were moving the country in the right direction, with more concrete results in view for ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, “Fellow Compatriots, I welcome you all to 2026, with gratitude to God and confidence in our collective resolve that this new year will be a more prosperous one for our nation, our citizens, and all who call Nigeria home.
“During 2025, we sustained the momentum on our major reforms. We had a fiscal reset and also recorded steady economic progress.
“Despite persistent global economic headwinds, we recorded tangible and measurable gains, particularly in the economy. These achievements reaffirm our belief that the difficult but necessary reforms we embarked upon are moving us in the right direction with more concrete results on the horizon for the ordinary Nigerian.
“As we enter 2026, our focus is on consolidating these gains and continuing to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy.”
President Tinubu said Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong note, noting that despite policies aimed at fighting inflation, the country recorded robust GDP growth in each quarter, with annualised growth expected to exceed four per cent for the year.
He added that trade surpluses were maintained and greater exchange rate stability achieved, while inflation declined steadily to 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,” he said.
The President disclosed that in 2025, the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers, posting a robust 48.12 per cent gain and consolidating its bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.
He said Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, supported by sound monetary policy management, providing a substantial buffer against external shocks for the naira, with expectations of further strengthening in the new year.
On foreign investment, Tinubu noted that foreign direct investment responded positively, rising to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the preceding quarter, reflecting renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.
He said global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, had consistently affirmed and applauded the country’s economic outlook.
The President recalled that a few days earlier, he presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, where he emphasised that critical reforms implemented by his administration were laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.
“With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained growth,” he said.
Tinubu stated that as inflation and interest rates moderate, increased fiscal space is expected for productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development.
He also addressed the challenge of multiple taxation across all tiers of government, commending states that have aligned with the national tax harmonisation agenda by adopting harmonised tax laws to reduce the burden of taxes, levies and fees on citizens and basic consumption.
According to him, 2026 marks a critical phase in implementing tax reforms aimed at building a fair, competitive and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria.
“By harmonising our tax system, we aim to raise revenue sustainably, address fiscal distortions and strengthen our capacity to finance infrastructure and social investments that will deliver shared prosperity,” he said.
The President stressed that while the path of reform is never easy, it is necessary, adding that economic progress must be accompanied by security and peace.
He said Nigeria continues to confront security threats from criminal and terrorist elements, disclosing that in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the North-West on December 24.
According to him, the Armed Forces have sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the North-West and North-East.
“In 2026, our security and intelligence agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security. We remain committed to protecting lives, property, and the territorial integrity of our country,” Tinubu said.
He reiterated his belief in a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, anchored on accountability, as critical to addressing terrorism, banditry and related security challenges.
The President further said the new year marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth, with tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, noting that the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme would be accelerated.
He said the programme aims to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 people in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.
Tinubu said agriculture, trade, food processing and mining would be leveraged to stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities, while investments in infrastructure would continue.
“We will also continue to invest in modernising Nigeria’s infrastructure — roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture to strengthen food security and improve quality of life. All ongoing projects will continue without interruption,” he said.
The President urged Nigerians to play their part in achieving the objectives of 2026, stressing that nation-building is a shared responsibility requiring unity, patriotism and integrity.
“Fellow Nigerians, I wish you all a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year. May God continue to bless and protect our beloved country, keep our troops safe and destroy the enemies bent on disrupting our national peace, security and stability. Happy New Year to you all,” he added.
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