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As the clock struck midnight, ushering in 2026, President Bola Tinubu delivered a powerful New Year’s address to Nigerians. His message was clear: a blend of gratitude, confidence, and a detailed roadmap for a more prosperous year ahead. From economic stability and vital tax reforms to strengthening national security and fostering inclusive growth, the President laid out his administration’s ambitious plans, signaling a year of consolidation and tangible progress for every Nigerian.
Economic Resilience & a Brighter Outlook
Reflecting on 2025, President Tinubu highlighted the sustained momentum of major reforms, including a crucial fiscal reset and steady economic progress despite global headwinds. These achievements, he noted, reaffirm that the difficult but necessary reforms are steering Nigeria in the right direction.
Entering 2026, the focus remains on building a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy. Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong note, defying inflation policies with robust quarterly GDP growth, expected to exceed 4% annually. We saw trade surpluses, greater exchange rate stability, and inflation steadily declining below 15% – a key target met!
Looking ahead, 2026 is poised to see further inflation reduction, ensuring the benefits of these reforms reach every household. The Nigerian Stock Exchange’s impressive 48.12% gain in 2025, coupled with foreign reserves standing at a healthy $45.4 billion, paints a picture of growing investor confidence. Foreign direct investment (FDI) soared to $720 million in Q3 2025, a significant jump from $90 million in the previous quarter, a testament to global credit rating agencies’ consistent affirmations.
Fiscal Discipline & Fairer Taxation
Just days before the New Year, President Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, emphasizing the solid foundation laid for long-term stability. With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity, Nigeria is set to emerge stronger.
Expect increased fiscal space for productive investments in infrastructure and human capital as inflation and interest rates moderate. The administration is actively tackling multiple taxation across all government tiers, commending states that have aligned with the national tax harmonization agenda to ease the burden on citizens and businesses. 2026 marks a critical phase for implementing tax reforms aimed at building a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria, promising sustainable revenue and enhanced capacity to finance vital infrastructure and social investments.
Securing Our Nation: A United Front
The path of reform is never easy, and economic progress must walk hand-in-hand with security and peace. President Tinubu acknowledged the persistent security threats from criminal and terrorist elements.
In a decisive move, collaborative efforts with international partners, including the United States, led to significant actions against terrorist targets in the Northwest on December 24. Our Armed Forces have since maintained relentless operations across the Northwest and Northeast. In 2026, security and intelligence agencies will deepen cooperation with global partners to eliminate all threats, reaffirming the commitment to protecting lives, property, and Nigeria’s territorial integrity. The President reiterated his belief in a decentralized policing system, complemented by regulated forest guards, all anchored on accountability, as critical to addressing terrorism and banditry.
Inclusive Growth for Every Nigerian
2026 is heralded as the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth, with tangible improvements aimed at the lives of ordinary Nigerians. A flagship initiative, the ‘Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme,’ will accelerate, aiming to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering 1,000 people in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.
Through agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining, local economies will be stimulated, and grassroots opportunities expanded. The administration will also continue significant investments in modernizing Nigeria’s infrastructure – roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture – to strengthen food security and improve quality of life. All ongoing projects are slated to continue without interruption.
A Call to Unity and Shared Responsibility
To achieve these ambitious objectives, President Tinubu issued a heartfelt call to action: nation-building is a shared responsibility. He urged all Nigerians to stand together in unity and purpose, uphold patriotism, and serve the country with honour and integrity in their respective roles. Let us resolve, he concluded, to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our beloved nation.
Wishing all Nigerians a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year. May God continue to bless and protect our country, keep our troops safe, and destroy all enemies bent on disrupting our national peace, security, and stability. Happy New Year!
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