President Bola Tinubu has kicked off the year 2026 with a message of cautious optimism, assuring Nigerians that the difficult economic reforms of the past year are finally beginning to bear fruit. In his New Year broadcast on Thursday morning, the President characterized 2025 as a period of “fiscal reset” and promised that the new year would focus on making these economic gains felt at the grassroots level.
The President highlighted several key economic indicators as evidence of a turnaround. He noted that despite global financial challenges, Nigeria’s GDP growth remained resilient throughout 2025, with expectations that the annual growth rate will exceed 4%. Perhaps most significantly for many citizens, the President reported a steady decline in inflation, which has now dropped below 15%, meeting the administration’s initial targets.
The President also pointed to a surging stock market and a significant boost in foreign investor confidence. He revealed that foreign reserves climbed to $45.4 billion by the end of December 2025, providing a much-needed shield for the Naira. The President attributed this stability to “sound monetary policy management” and noted a massive spike in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which jumped from $90 million in the second quarter to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025.
On the security front, President Tinubu addressed the ongoing battle against terrorism and banditry. He specifically mentioned a significant joint operation with international partners, including the United States, which targeted terrorist strongholds in the Northwest just before Christmas. Looking ahead, he reiterated his support for decentralizing the police force and establishing regulated forest guards to better protect rural communities.
To ensure the “Renewed Hope” agenda reaches every corner of the country, the President announced a more aggressive phase of the Ward Development Programme. The goal is to bring 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering 1,000 individuals in each of the nation’s 8,809 wards. He closed the address by calling for national unity, urging every citizen to be a “better neighbor” and a dedicated steward of the country’s progress.
