President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed Nigerians to the year 2026, expressing gratitude to God and confidence that the New Year will usher in greater prosperity for the nation and its citizens.
In his New Year address on Thursday, the President said 2025 was a year of sustained reforms and steady economic progress, noting that despite persistent global economic headwinds, Nigeria recorded tangible and measurable gains, particularly in the economy.
He described the reforms undertaken by his administration as difficult but necessary, adding that they are beginning to yield concrete results for ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking on the economic outlook, Tinubu said the focus in 2026 would be on consolidating gains and building a resilient, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy.
According to him, Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong note, recording robust quarterly GDP growth, with annualised growth expected to exceed four per cent.
The President disclosed that the country maintained trade surpluses, achieved greater exchange rate stability, and recorded a steady decline in inflation, which fell below 15 per cent in line with government targets.
He assured Nigerians that inflation would be reduced further in 2026 to ensure the benefits of reforms reach households nationwide.
Tinubu also highlighted strong performance in the capital market, noting that the Nigerian Stock Exchange posted a 48.12 per cent gain in 2025, outperforming its peers and sustaining the bullish trend that began in the second half of 2023.
On external buffers, Tinubu said Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a strong cushion against external shocks to the naira, with expectations of further improvement in the new year.
He added that foreign direct investment rose significantly in the third quarter of 2025 to $720 million from $90 million in the preceding quarter, reflecting renewed investor confidence as affirmed by global credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s.
Addressing fiscal discipline and tax reforms, the President recalled presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, where he emphasised that ongoing reforms are laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.
He said moderating inflation and interest rates would create more fiscal space for investments in infrastructure and human capital.
President Tinubu also said his administration is tackling the challenge of multiple taxation across all tiers of government, commending states that have aligned with the national tax harmonization agenda to reduce the burden of taxes, levies, and fees on citizens.
He described 2026 as a critical phase in implementing tax reforms aimed at building a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal framework to sustainably raise revenue and finance infrastructure and social investments.
On security, the President acknowledged that economic progress must go hand in hand with peace and stability.
He said Nigeria continues to confront threats from criminal and terrorist elements, noting that decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24, in collaboration with international partners, including the United States.
He said the Armed Forces have sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the Northwest and Northeast, adding that in 2026, security and intelligence agencies would deepen cooperation with regional and global partners.
Tinubu reiterated his belief in a decentralised policing system, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, to effectively address terrorism and banditry.
On inclusive growth and social development, the President said 2026 would mark a more robust phase of economic growth with visible improvements in people’s lives.
He announced plans to accelerate the Renewed Hope Ward Development Program, targeting the empowerment of at least 10 million Nigerians by supporting no fewer than 1,000 people in each of the country’s 8,809 wards.
He said the government would stimulate local economies through agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining, while continuing investments in roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture. According to him, all ongoing projects will continue without interruption.
Tinubu concluded by calling for unity, patriotism, and shared responsibility in nation-building, urging Nigerians to serve the country with honour and integrity.
He wished citizens a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year, while praying for continued protection for the nation and its security forces.
