President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ushered Nigeria into 2026 with a renewed pledge of stronger economic growth, fiscal discipline and inclusive development, announcing plans to empower at least 1,000 citizens in each of the country’s 8,809 wards in the new year.
In his New Year goodwill message to Nigerians, the President described 2026 as the beginning of a more robust phase of economic expansion, marked by tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. He said the empowerment initiative would be delivered through the ‘Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme’, designed to bring no fewer than 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity nationwide.
“The New Year marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth, with tangible improvements in the lives of our people”, Tinubu stated, adding that the programme would stimulate local economies through agriculture, trade, food processing and mining, while expanding grassroots opportunities across the federation.
Reviewing the past year, the President said his administration sustained the momentum of major reforms throughout 2025, carrying out what he described as a fiscal reset and recording steady economic progress despite persistent global headwinds. He noted that the gains reaffirmed the government’s belief that the difficult but necessary reforms were moving the country in the right direction.
On economic performance, Tinubu said Nigeria recorded robust GDP growth in every quarter of 2025, with annualised growth projected to exceed four percent. He added that the country maintained trade surpluses, achieved greater exchange rate stability and reduced inflation steadily to below 15 percent, in line with government targets.
He also highlighted the strong performance of the capital market, noting that the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers in 2025 with a 48.12 per cent gain. According to him, foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a substantial buffer against external shocks to the Naira. Investor confidence, the President said, improved markedly, with foreign direct investment rising to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the preceding quarter. He added that Nigeria’s economic direction had been consistently affirmed, and applauded by global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.
On fiscal policy, Tinubu referenced the 2026 Appropriation Bill recently presented to the National Assembly, stressing that fiscal discipline and tax reforms would be critical to sustaining growth. He described 2026 as a crucial phase in implementing tax reforms aimed at building a fair, competitive and robust fiscal foundation, noting that harmonising the tax system would raise revenue sustainably, address distortions and reduce the burden of multiple taxation. He commended states that have adopted harmonised tax laws.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continued investment in infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education and agriculture, assuring Nigerians that all ongoing projects would continue without interruption.
On security, Tinubu stressed that economic progress must go hand in hand with peace and stability. He disclosed that decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the North-West region on December 24, in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, and said sustained operations were ongoing against terrorist and criminal networks across the North-West and North-East regions.
Calling for unity and shared responsibility, the President urged Nigerians to stand together in purpose and patriotism. “Nation-building is a shared responsibility,” Tinubu said. “Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours and better stewards of our nation”.
He wished Nigerians a peaceful, productive and prosperous New Year, while praying for continued national stability and the safety of security personnel.
