Thursday January 1, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has declared that 2026 marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth for Nigeria, assuring citizens that the gains recorded from ongoing reforms will translate into tangible improvements in their daily lives.
In his New Year goodwill message to Nigerians on Wednesday, December 31, President Tinubu said his administration sustained the momentum of key economic reforms throughout 2025, recording what he described as “tangible and measurable gains” despite persistent global economic headwinds.
The president noted that the reforms, though difficult, were necessary and are now yielding positive results for the economy, with more concrete outcomes expected for ordinary Nigerians in the year ahead.
ECONOMY POSTS STRONG NUMBERS
According to Tinubu, Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong economic footing, recording robust GDP growth in every quarter, with annualised growth projected to exceed four per cent.
He said the country maintained trade surpluses, achieved greater exchange rate stability and steadily reduced inflation, which dropped below 15 per cent in line with the government’s target.
“In 2026, we are determined to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household,” the president said.
Tinubu also highlighted the strong performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which he said outperformed its peers by posting a 48.12 per cent gain in 2025, extending a bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.
On external buffers, the president disclosed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing what he described as a substantial cushion against external shocks to the naira.
He added that foreign direct investment showed renewed momentum, rising to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the previous quarter, a development he attributed to growing investor confidence and positive assessments by global credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.
TAX REFORMS, FISCAL DISCIPLINE
Tinubu said his administration remains committed to fiscal discipline and long-term stability, noting that he recently presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly with a focus on consolidating economic gains.
He said as inflation and interest rates moderate, the government expects increased fiscal space to invest in infrastructure and human capital development.
The president also addressed the challenge of multiple taxation, commending states that have aligned with the federal government’s tax harmonisation agenda.
“The new year marks a critical phase in implementing our tax reforms, designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria,” he said, adding that harmonised taxes would reduce the burden on citizens while raising revenue sustainably.
SECURITY OPERATIONS TO INTENSIFY
On security, Tinubu said economic progress must go hand in hand with peace and stability, acknowledging ongoing threats from terrorist and criminal elements.
He confirmed 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, with sustained military operations continuing across the North-West and North-East.
In 2026, he said security and intelligence agencies would deepen cooperation with regional and global partners, while reiterating his support for decentralised policing and properly regulated forest guards to tackle banditry and terrorism.
RENEWED HOPE AT GRASSROOTS
Tinubu said the government would accelerate the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme in 2026, with plans to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering no fewer than 1,000 people in each of the country’s 8,809 wards.
He said agriculture, trade, food processing and mining would be key drivers of grassroots economic expansion, alongside sustained investments in infrastructure such as roads, power, ports, railways, airports, healthcare and education.
“All ongoing projects will continue without interruption,” he assured.
CALL FOR UNITY
The president urged Nigerians to embrace unity, patriotism and shared responsibility, stressing that nation-building requires collective effort.
“Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our nation,” Tinubu said, wishing Nigerians a peaceful, productive and prosperous New Year.
The president also prayed for the safety of Nigerian troops and the defeat of all forces threatening the country’s peace and stability.
