President Bola Tinubu has declared that 2026 marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economy growth, assuring Nigerians that the country is on a steady path toward recovery, resilience, and shared prosperity.
In his New Year message to the nation on Thursday, Tinubu said his administration sustained the momentum of major reforms throughout 2025, recording measurable gains despite persistent global economic headwinds.
According to him, the reforms undertaken during the year delivered tangible progress in the economy, reinforcing confidence that the difficult but necessary policy decisions are yielding results for ordinary Nigerians.
“As we enter 2026, our focus is on consolidating these gains and continuing to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy,” the President said.
Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria recorded robust quarterly GDP growth in 2025, with annualised growth expected to exceed four per cent, while trade surpluses were maintained and exchange rate stability improved.
He said inflation declined steadily and fell below 15 per cent by the end of the year, in line with government targets, adding that efforts would intensify in 2026 to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of economy reforms reach households nationwide.
The President noted that the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers in 2025, posting a 48.12 per cent gain, while foreign reserves rose to $45.4 billion as of December 29, providing a strong buffer for the naira.
He also highlighted a sharp rise in foreign direct investment, which increased to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the previous quarter, attributing the surge to renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy, a position affirmed by global credit rating agencies.
On fiscal discipline, Tinubu said the 2026 Appropriation Bill reflects reforms aimed at laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity, stressing that patience, discipline, and unity remain critical to sustaining economy growth.
He said the government is confronting the problem of multiple taxation and commended states that have adopted harmonised tax laws in line with the national tax reform agenda to ease the burden on citizens and businesses.
According to him, the next phase of tax reforms will strengthen revenue generation, address fiscal distortions, and expand the capacity to finance infrastructure and social investments essential for economy expansion.
Tinubu stressed that economic progress must go hand in hand with security, noting that sustained operations against terrorist and criminal elements would continue in 2026 in collaboration with international partners.
He reaffirmed support for decentralised policing with appropriate safeguards, describing it as critical to stabilising the environment required for economy growth and investment.
On inclusive development, the President said the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme would be accelerated to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity through agriculture, trade, mining, and food processing.
He assured that investments in roads, power, ports, rail, healthcare, education, and agriculture would continue without interruption, strengthening the foundation of the economy and improving quality of life.
Tinubu called on Nigerians to embrace unity, patriotism, and shared responsibility, stressing that nation-building requires collective effort.
He wished Nigerians a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year, praying for continued stability, security, and progress for the nation.
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