President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed national security at the forefront of unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and delivering lasting prosperity to citizens.
In his New Year address on January 1, 2026, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to eliminating security threats, highlighting recent successful operations against terrorists and bandits.
He pledged deeper cooperation with regional and global partners to neutralize remaining dangers. Tinubu advocated for decentralized policing with strong accountability safeguards and regulated forest guards to effectively combat banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency across vulnerable regions.
“Safeguarding lives and property remains the core responsibility of government,” he emphasized, noting that sustained peace is the bedrock upon which economic reforms can thrive and yield tangible benefits for all Nigerians.
Building on this secure foundation, President Tinubu announced that 2026 will usher in a more robust phase of economic growth. He reflected on 2025’s achievements amid global challenges, including sustained reform momentum and a major fiscal reset.
He said 2025 witnessed a robust quarterly GDP growth, maintaining trade surpluses with greater exchange rate stability and inflation declining steadily below 15%.
President Tinubu noted that Nigerian Stock Exchange delivered a standout 48.12% gain, continuing its bullish run since mid-2023 while Foreign reserves reached $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a strong buffer, while foreign direct investment surged to $720 million in Q3—up sharply from $90 million in the previous quarter.
While stating that the gains reflect renewed investor confidence, as affirmed by rating agencies like Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s, President Tinubu said his administration will consolidate these gains by deepening tax reforms to streamline the system, eliminate multiple taxation, and generate more revenue for critical infrastructure and social programs.
President Tinubu stressed that while reforms are challenging, they are vital for shared prosperity. He called for unity, patience, and collective responsibility, pledging faster rollout of initiatives like the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme to empower communities nationwide.
“The path of reform is never easy, but it is necessary,” he concluded, expressing optimism that with enhanced security and continued discipline, 2026 will mark a turning point for a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.
