By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJA
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration remains mindful that economic progress must be accompanied by security and peace, even as he noted that the path of reform is never easy, but it is necessary.
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President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deeper economic reforms, tax harmonisation, and an inclusive growth agenda in 2026, describing the new year as a decisive phase in Nigeria’s economic renewal.
The President in his New Year goodwill message to Nigerians, said the reforms implemented in 2025, anchored on a fiscal reset and macroeconomic stabilisation, have begun to deliver measurable results despite persistent global economic headwinds.
He assured citizens that these reforms will be consolidated and expanded in 2026 to ensure tangible benefits for households, businesses, and investors.
Speaking on security and economic stability, the President said: “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.”
Tinubu noted that easing inflationary pressures and moderating interest rates are expected to create increased fiscal space for productive investment, particularly in critical infrastructure and human capital development, thereby strengthening the foundations for sustained economic expansion and job creation.
The President also restated his determination to confront the challenge of multiple taxation across all tiers of government, describing it as a significant constraint on productivity and basic consumption.
He commended states that have aligned with the national tax harmonisation agenda by adopting unified tax laws aimed at reducing the excessive burden of taxes, levies, and fees on citizens and businesses.
“Our focus in 2026 is to consolidate the gains we have made and continue to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy,” Tinubu said, adding that the ongoing tax reforms are designed to create a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal framework capable of financing infrastructure and social investments that deliver shared prosperity.
Highlighting improved macroeconomic indicators, including strong GDP growth, greater exchange-rate stability, rising foreign reserves, and renewed investor confidence, the President expressed optimism that Nigeria is firmly on course for long-term stability and inclusive growth.
He said the government in 2025 sustained the momentum on major reforms.
“We had a fiscal reset and also recorded steady economic progress, ” he said, adding, “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.”
Continuing, he said: “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.”
He called on Nigerians to remain united and supportive, stressing that nation-building is a shared responsibility, and wished citizens a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year.
President Tinubu said 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.”
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