President Bola Tinubu
By John Egie
2026 marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth for Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has assured.
The assurance was contained in his new year message to Nigerians on Thursday, January 1, 2026 during which he expressed confidence in the nation’s collective resolve, saying the new year would be a more prosperous one for the country, it’s citizens and all who call Nigeria home.
He restated his pledge to drive down inflation further, strengthen foreign reserves and sustain the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP growth trajectory.
President Bola Tinubu said his administration, in 2025, sustained a momentum on major reforms, achieved a fiscal reset and recorded steady economic progress.
“Despite persistent global economic headwinds, Nigeria 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 Nigerians.
2025 closed on a strong note with annualised GDP growth expected to exceed four per cent for the year.
Trade surpluses were maintained and greater exchange rate stability was achieved, while inflation declined steadily to below 15 per cent.
“In 2026, we are determined to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household.”
The performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange posted a robust 48.12 per cent gain in 2025, consolidating it’s bullish run that began on the second half of 2025.
On foreign reserves, sound monetary policy management had seen reserves stand at $45.4bn as of December 29, 2025 providing a substantial buffer against external shocks for the Naira and the Tinubu administration is optimistic that this position would strengthen further in the new year.
Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, was also responding positively such that, in the third quarter of 2025, FDI rose to $720m, up from $90m in the preceeding quarter, reflecting renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction, which global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard and Poor’s had constantly affirmed and applauded.
“With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026, stronger and better positioned to sustained growth.”
The new year marks a critical stage in implementing tax reforms designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria.
On security, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged that the nation continues to confront threats from criminal and terrorist elements. However, in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24,2025.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria has since sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the Northwest and Northeast.
“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” the President said and reiterated his belief that a decentralised policing system with appropiate safeguards complemented by properly regulated forest guards and anchored on accountability, was critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry and related security challenges.
For the common man, apart from declining inflation rate that will bring down prices of commodities, President Tinubu also plans to empower at least 1,000 persons in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.
President Bola Tinubu therefore, called on all Nigerians to play their part saying, nation-building is a shared responsibility that requires unity of purpose, patriotism and service with honour and integrity.
“Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our nation” Tinubu urged.
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