President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians to deepen their investments in the local economy, assuring citizens that 2026 will deliver even stronger returns as his administration’s economic reforms continue to yield positive results.
The President in a statement issued on Thursday by his Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, gave the assurance while reacting to the historic milestone recorded on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), where market capitalisation has surpassed the N100 trillion mark.
He praised corporate Nigeria, citizens and other stakeholders in the capital market for their collective role in achieving the landmark feat, describing it as a major boost to investor confidence.
President Tinubu said the record-breaking performance of the Exchange is a strong signal of renewed faith in Nigeria’s economy and an inspiration to investors operating across the money and capital markets.
“With the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) crossing the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation.
“In 2025, while many of the world’s markets struggled with stagnation or tepid recovery, the NGX All-Share Index was on the ascent. It closed 2025 with a 51.19% return, higher than the 37.65% recorded in 2024. This performance ranks among the highest in the world. Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group.
“Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered. As the stock market reflects the entire economy, its stellar performance is a significant indicator of the country’s economic health and the confidence investors have in our economy.
“On the NGX, we have witnessed remarkable performances from listed companies across all sectors. From blue-chip industrial giants that have localised their supply chains, to a banking sector that has demonstrated resilience and technological innovation, Nigerian companies are proving that the country can deliver strong returns on investment.
“And we are just getting started. The pipeline for new and upcoming listings looks robust. More indigenous energy firms, tech unicorns, telecoms, and infrastructure-heavy entities are seeking to access the public market to fund their expansion. As these firms are listed, they will boost market capitalisation and deepen democratic ownership of the Nigerian economy.
“We are not celebrating the superlative stock market performance in isolation. We are also celebrating the microeconomic effects of our reforms. After the initial headwinds that followed our reforms, we are finally seeing a bend in the inflation curve.
“Crucial monetary tightening and the removal of distortionary ‘Ways and Means’ financing have restored stability to the Naira.
“Furthermore, investments in the agriculture sector have contributed to a consistent decline in inflation over the past eight months. From a 24-month high of 34.8% in December 2024, inflation decelerated to 14.45% as of November 2025, with projections indicating it will reach 12% in 2026. Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians.”
“Also noteworthy is the status of our nation’s current account, a valid measure of our overall economic health. In 2024, Nigeria posted a surplus of $16 billion. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our current account balance is projected to rise to $18.81 billion in 2026, up from $16.94 billion in 2025.
“Under our administration, Nigeria is exporting more and importing less of what we can produce locally. Non-oil exports surged by 48% by the third quarter of 2025, totalling N9.2 trillion. Exports to Africa alone rose by 97% to N4.9 trillion. Manufacturing exports increased by 67% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, suggesting a strong close to the year.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have crossed the $45 billion mark, giving the Central Bank the firepower to maintain stability. The Naira has stabilised, moving away from the volatility that once fuelled speculation. The Central Bank of Nigeria, in its latest outlook, projects foreign reserves will cross the $50 billion threshold in the first quarter of 2026.
“We are also seeing an expansion of the rail networks, the completion of major arterial roads and the revitalisation of our ports. With the transformative Lagos-Clabar and Sokoto-Badgry superhighways, the nation’s infrastructure is growing.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he stated.
President Tinubu described nation-building as a continuous process that requires hard work, sacrifice and collective focus, saying the recent attainment of N100 trillion market capitalisation is a strong signal of the robustness of the Nigerian economy.
He added that the milestone demonstrates to the global community that Nigeria is productive and firmly positioned for sustained growth.
“Nation-building is a process, not a destination. Hard work, sacrifices, and the focus of its citizens build a nation. The N100 trillion market capitalisation is a signal to the world that the Nigerian economy is robust and productive.”
The Nigerian Leader, therefore pledged to continue to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy that will catalyse historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1, 2026.
Lateefah Ibrahim