IN A NEW YEAR goodwill message to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu struck an optimistic yet resolute tone, declaring that 2026 marks the commencement of a “more robust phase of economic growth” for Nigeria.
The President’s message reviewed the economic and security challenges of the preceding year while projecting a future focused on consolidation, inclusive development, and enhanced national security.
Economic Reforms Yielding Measurable Gains
President Tinubu asserted that the difficult reforms initiated by his administration are moving the country in the right direction.
He noted that 2025 ended on a strong economic note, with annual GDP growth expected to exceed 4 per cent despite global headwinds and anti-inflation policies.
Key indicators, he said, showed progress as he claimed that inflation declined steadily to below 15 per cent, trade surpluses were maintained, and the Nigerian Stock Exchange posted a robust 48.12 per cent annual gain.
The President pledged to further reduce inflation in 2026 to ensure reform benefits reach every household.
Strengthened Fiscal Buffers and Investor Confidence
A significant highlight of the address was the state of Nigeria’s external reserves, which the President said stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025.
The President credited sound monetary policy for this “substantial buffer against external shocks for the Naira.”
He further pointed to a dramatic surge in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which, according to him, rose to $720 million in the 3rd quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the previous quarter. This inflow, according to Tinubu, reflects renewed global investor confidence, a sentiment affirmed by positive ratings from international credit agencies like Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s.
Tax Harmonisation and Fiscal Foundation for Growth
Looking ahead, the President identified 2026 as a critical year for implementing comprehensive tax reforms.
He commended states that have aligned with the national tax harmonisation agenda, a move aimed at reducing the “excessive burden” of multiple taxes on citizens and businesses.
The administration’s goal is to build a “fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation” to sustainably raise revenue for infrastructure and social investments, thereby creating shared prosperity, Tinubu said.
Security: Sustained Operations and Decentralised Policing Push
Acknowledging ongoing threats, President Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to security.
He revealed that in collaboration with international partners like the United States, “decisive actions” were taken against terrorist targets in the Northwest on December 25, with sustained operations continuing.
For 2026, Tinubu promised deeper regional and global cooperation to eliminate threats. The President significantly reiterated his belief in the necessity of a “decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards,” to be complemented by regulated forest guards, to effectively tackle terrorism, banditry, and related crimes.
Grassroots Empowerment and Infrastructure Focus
The President outlined a major grassroots economic initiative set for acceleration: the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme.
The ambitious plan, the President said, aims to bring 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 individuals in each of the nation’s 8,809 wards through agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining.
Tinubu also promised continued, uninterrupted investment in modernising critical infrastructure across roads, power, ports, railways, and healthcare to strengthen food security and improve quality of life.
A Call for Shared Responsibility
Concluding his message, President Tinubu framed nation-building as a “shared responsibility,” calling on all citizens to stand together in unity, uphold patriotism, and serve with integrity.
He expressed confidence that with patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge stronger in 2026, positioned for sustained growth and tangible improvements in the lives of its people.
Below is the full text of the message:
2026 Marks The Beginning Of A More Robust Phase Of Economic Growth: Text Of President Tinubu’s New Year Goodwill Message To Nigerians
Fellow Compatriots,
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.
We closed 2025 on a strong note. Despite the policies to fight inflation, Nigeria recorded a robust GDP growth each quarter, with annualised growth expected to exceed 4 per cent for the year. We maintained trade surpluses and achieved greater exchange rate stability. Inflation declined steadily and reached below 15 per cent, in line with our target. 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.
Supported by sound monetary policy management, our foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a substantial buffer against external shocks for the Naira. We expect this position to strengthen further in the new year.
Foreign direct investment is also responding positively. In the third quarter of 2025, FDI rose to $720 million, up from $90 million in the preceding quarter, reflecting renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction, which global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s, have consistently affirmed and applauded.
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.
As inflation and interest rates moderate, we expect increased fiscal space for productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development. We are also confronting the challenge of multiple taxation across all tiers of government. I commend states that have aligned with the national tax harmonisation agenda by adopting harmonised tax laws to reduce the excessive burden of taxes, levies, and fees on our people and on basic consumption.
The new year marks a critical phase in implementing our tax reforms, designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria. By harmonising our tax system, we aim to raise revenue sustainably, address fiscal distortions and strengthen our capacity to finance infrastructure and social investments that will deliver shared prosperity.
My fellow Nigerians, the path of reform is never easy, but it is necessary. We remain mindful that economic progress must be accompanied by security and peace.
Our nation continues to confront security threats from criminal and terrorist elements determined to disrupt our way of life. In collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24. Our Armed Forces have since sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the Northwest and Northeast.
In 2026, our security and intelligence agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security. We remain committed to protecting lives, property, and the territorial integrity of our country. I continue to believe that a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, all anchored on accountability, is critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges.
The new year marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth, with tangible improvements in the lives of our people. We will accelerate the implementation of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aiming to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 people in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.
Through agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining, we will stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities. We will also continue to invest in modernising 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 will continue without interruption.
To achieve our objectives in 2026, we must all play our part. Nation-building is a shared responsibility. We must stand together in unity and purpose, uphold patriotism, and serve our country with honour and integrity in our respective roles. Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our nation.
Fellow Nigerians, I wish you all a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year. May God continue to bless and protect our beloved country,
keep our troops safe and destroy the enemies bent on disrupting our national peace, security and stability.
Happy New Year to you all.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President Federal Republic Of Nigeria; January 1, 2026
