President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained economic growth, driven by fiscal discipline, patience, and unity of purpose.
In his New Year goodwill message to Nigerians, the President said the government remains committed to deepening economic reforms in 2026, following what he described as strong macroeconomic performance recorded in 2025 despite global headwinds.
President Tinubu assured that the Year 2026, will usher in a decisive phase of Nigeria’s economic recovery, as the government intensifies efforts to further rein in inflation and ensure that the dividends of ongoing reforms deliver tangible relief to households nationwide.
The President also noted that Nigeria ended 2025 on a strong economic footing, recording robust quarterly GDP growth, with annual expansion projected to exceed four percent.
The Nigerian Leader added that the nation sustained trade surpluses, strengthened exchange-rate stability, and achieved a steady moderation in inflation, which declined to below 15 percent in line with government targets.
“I welcome you all to 2026, with gratitude to God and confidence in our collective resolve that this new year will be a more prosperous one for our nation, our citizens, and all who call Nigeria home.
“During 2025, we sustained the momentum on our major reforms. We had a fiscal reset and also recorded steady economic progress. Despite persistent global economic headwinds, we recorded tangible and measurable gains, particularly in the economy. These achievements reaffirm our belief that the difficult but necessary reforms we embarked upon are moving us in the right direction with more concrete results on the horizon for the ordinary Nigerian.
“As we enter 2026, our focus is on consolidating these gains and continuing to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy.” President Tinubu added.
The President said the reforms being pursued are already laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth, stressing that prudent fiscal management remains central to the government’s economic strategy.
“A few days ago, I presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly. In that address, I emphasised that our administration has implemented critical reforms that are laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity. With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained growth”.
The President added that as inflation and interest rates continue to ease, the government expects greater fiscal space to expand productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development.
Highlighting market performance, President Tinubu said the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed many of its peers in 2025, posting a 48.12 per cent gain and extending a bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.
He further disclosed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at 45.4 billion dollars as of December 29, 2025, attributing the position to sound monetary policy management.
President Tinubu noted that the reserve level provides a strong buffer for the naira against external shocks and is expected to improve further in the new year.
The Nigerian Leader also pointed to a sharp rebound in foreign direct investment, revealing that inflows rose to 720 million dollars in the third quarter of 2025, up from 90 million dollars in the preceding quarter. He said the surge reflects renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.
“In 2026, we are determined to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household. In 2025, the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers, posting a robust 48.12 per cent gain and consolidating its bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.”
The President added that Nigeria’s reform trajectory has continued to earn positive assessments from global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch Ratings, and Standard & Poor’s, which he said have consistently affirmed and applauded the country’s economic outlook.
The Nigeria Leader further commended states that have aligned with the Federal Government’s national tax harmonisation agenda, describing their adoption of harmonised tax laws as a crucial step toward easing the excessive burden of taxes, levies, and fees on Nigerians and on basic consumption.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the focus in 2026 will be on consolidating gains, strengthening economic resilience, and building an inclusive, sustainable growth path capable of improving livelihoods nationwide.