President Tinubu Declares 2026 as Dawn of Robust Economic Growth in New Year Address
President Tinubu Hails 2025 Reforms, Projects Stronger Growth in 2026
In his New Year message dated January 1, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, welcomed Nigerians to 2026 with optimism, expressing gratitude to God and confidence in the nation’s collective resolve for greater prosperity. He emphasized that 2025 saw sustained momentum on major reforms, including a fiscal reset and steady economic progress despite global headwinds, reaffirming that these difficult but necessary measures are yielding tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
Economic Progress and 2026 Outlook
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong note, recording robust GDP growth each quarter, with annualized growth expected to exceed 4 per cent for the year. The country maintained trade surpluses and achieved greater exchange rate stability, while inflation declined steadily to below 15 per cent, aligning with targets. The Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed peers with a 48.12 per cent gain, continuing its bullish run from the second half of 2023.
Foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, bolstered by sound monetary policy, providing a buffer against external shocks for the Naira. These reserves are expected to strengthen further in 2026. Foreign direct investment also surged, rising to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the prior quarter, signaling renewed investor confidence affirmed by global credit rating agencies including Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s.
Looking ahead, the President stated that 2026 will focus on consolidating these gains to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy. Efforts will prioritize further reducing inflation and ensuring reform benefits reach every Nigerian household.
Fiscal Discipline and Tax Reforms
A few days before the New Year message, President Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, underscoring the administration’s critical reforms laying foundations for long-term stability and prosperity. With fiscal discipline and unity, Nigeria is positioned for sustained growth as inflation and interest rates moderate, creating more fiscal space for infrastructure and human capital investments.
The administration is tackling multiple taxation across government tiers. The President commended states that have adopted harmonised tax laws, aligning with the national tax harmonisation agenda to ease the burden of taxes, levies, and fees on citizens and basic consumption. 2026 marks a critical phase for implementing tax reforms to create a fair, competitive fiscal foundation, raise sustainable revenue, address distortions, and fund infrastructure and social investments for shared prosperity.
Security and National Stability
Acknowledging that economic progress requires security and peace, President Tinubu highlighted ongoing threats from criminal and terrorist elements. On December 24, 2025, decisive actions in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, targeted terrorist sites in the Northwest. The Armed Forces have sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds in the Northwest and Northeast.
In 2026, security and intelligence agencies will deepen regional and global partnerships to eliminate threats. The President reaffirmed commitment to protecting lives, property, and territorial integrity. He advocated for a decentralised policing system with safeguards, complemented by regulated forest guards anchored on accountability, to combat terrorism, banditry, and related challenges.
Inclusive Growth and Social Development
2026 heralds a more robust phase of economic growth with tangible improvements in citizens’ lives. The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme will accelerate, targeting at least 10 million Nigerians in productive economic activity by empowering 1,000 people in each of the 8,809 wards nationwide. Focus areas include agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining to stimulate local economies and grassroots opportunities.
Investments will continue in modernising infrastructure—roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture—to bolster food security and quality of life. All ongoing projects will proceed without interruption.
Call to Unity and Shared Responsibility
President Tinubu urged all Nigerians to contribute to 2026 objectives, stressing that nation-building is a collective duty. Citizens must unite in purpose, uphold patriotism, and serve with honour and integrity. He wished all a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year, praying for God’s blessings, protection for troops, and defeat of enemies threatening peace, security, and stability.
The message, released from the State House, Abuja, also known as Aso Rock Villa, underscores the Presidency’s vision for a stronger Nigeria amid ongoing reforms.
Source: https://statehouse.gov.ng/2026-marks-the-beginning-of-a-more-robust-phase-of-economic-growth/