President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ushered in the year 2026 with a message of confidence, pledging to consolidate economic gains and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians. In his nationwide New Year address delivered from Abuja on Thursday, January 1, the President framed the coming year as the start of a more robust phase of growth for the nation.
Economic Reforms and Projected Growth
President Tinubu expressed strong optimism about Nigeria's economic trajectory. He highlighted that despite global challenges, Nigeria recorded a robust GDP growth each quarter in 2025, with annual growth expected to surpass 4%. A significant achievement was the reduction of inflation to below 15%, meeting a key government target.
The President pointed to several positive indicators: foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a solid buffer for the Naira. Furthermore, investor confidence appears to be rebounding, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rising sharply to $720 million in Q3 2025 from $90 million in the previous quarter.
Tinubu also noted the stellar performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which posted a 48.12% gain in 2025, continuing a bullish trend. He emphasised that the path of reform, while difficult, is necessary and that the administration remains focused on building a resilient and inclusive economy.
Security, Tax Harmonisation, and Key Pledges
The address firmly linked economic progress to national security. President Tinubu revealed that decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in the Northwest on December 24, in collaboration with international partners like the United States. He vowed that security operations would intensify in 2026, with deeper regional and global cooperation to eliminate threats.
A major focus for the new year is the implementation of comprehensive tax reforms. Tinubu commended states aligning with a national tax harmonisation agenda to reduce the excessive burden of multiple taxes and levies. This reform is designed to create a fairer system and raise sustainable revenue for infrastructure and social investments.
The President made several concrete pledges for 2026:
- To further reduce inflation and ensure reform benefits reach every household.
- To accelerate the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aiming to bring 10 million Nigerians into productive activity by empowering people in all 8,809 wards.
- To continue all ongoing infrastructure projects in roads, power, ports, and agriculture without interruption.
- To advocate for a decentralised policing system with safeguards to tackle security challenges effectively.
A Call for Unity and Shared Responsibility
Concluding his message, President Tinubu called on all Nigerians to play their part in nation-building. He described it as a shared responsibility requiring unity, purpose, and patriotism. The President urged citizens to serve with integrity in their respective roles to achieve the collective objectives for a peaceful and prosperous 2026.
The full text of the address, which also touched on the 2026 Appropriation Bill and the need for fiscal discipline, reinforces the administration's commitment to its Renewed Hope agenda as the country moves deeper into the decade.
