The President expressed that the administration’s fiscal, monetary and structural reforms implemented in 2025 had stabilised key economic indicators despite global headwinds, while pledging to deepen tax reforms, expand infrastructure investment, strengthen security operations and accelerate inclusive growth initiatives aimed at improving living standards across the country.

Full speech below:

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.

𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤

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.

𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦

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.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

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.

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

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.

𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

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, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

January 1, 2026

Source: TVC

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Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Folorunso Olabode, confirmed the approval, noting that the beneficiaries include vice chairmen, secretaries, councillors, supervisors, and advisers from all 16 local government areas in the state.

In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, Olabode explained that the severance package amounts to N458,793,960.

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This approval comes as preparations for local government elections in the state are underway. The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) recently announced that local elections would be held on December 12, 2026.

The election will mark the end of the current tenure for the incumbent local government chairmen and councillors, with new officeholders expected to take charge after the poll.

EKSIEC Chairman, Justice Cornelius Akintayo (retd.), emphasized that, according to the EKSIEC (Fourth Amendment) Law No. 13 of 2025, the elections will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 12, 2026. Political parties interested in fielding candidates are instructed to collect Form 001 from the commission’s headquarters.

Source: Punch

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Presenting a one-year performance report at the Pension Revolution Journalist Summit in Lagos, PenCom Director-General, Omolola Olowora, said the administration’s intervention represented a “historic turning point in restoring confidence among pensioners and contributors,” many of whom had awaited entitlements dating back to 2007.

According to PenCom, long-standing pension arrears for Federal Government treasury-funded retirees have now been fully settled, and “zero waiting time for payment of accrued pension rights was restored with effect from July 2025,” ensuring retirees receive their benefits promptly.

To enhance benefit adequacy, PenCom rolled out Pension Boost 1.0, which added about N2.68 billion to monthly payments under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), easing financial pressure on retirees amid rising living costs.

Olowora explained that these reforms are anchored on Pension Revolution 2.0, “the most comprehensive overhaul of the pension industry since 2004,” which combines stronger regulation, tighter supervision, governance reforms, and full digital automation of critical pension processes, including pension clearance certificates, benefit processing, and contribution remittances.

A notable outcome of the reforms was a surge in employer compliance. PenCom revealed that between January and November 2025, recoveries jumped to N4.04 billion, compared with N1.44 billion in the entire 2024 financial year.

The Commission noted that N2.06 billion of these recoveries occurred in the third quarter alone, following a compliance circular that linked Pension Clearance Certificates to participation across the pension industry value chain.

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The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, while speaking with journalists, described the engagement as a consultation rather than a conclusive negotiation, stressing that labour’s leadership would first brief its internal organs before making any public pronouncement.

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He was received at the Waterkloof Air Force Base by Finance Minister Wale Edun and Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Alexander.

Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to attend the summit at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s invitation, cancelled his trip to receive security briefings following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and an attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

According to the Vice President’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima will hold bilateral meetings and engage global leaders on economic cooperation, security, climate issues and development priorities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Read Also: Tinubu arrives Brazil for G20 summit

The G20 Summit, holding Nov. 22–23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” brings together leaders of the world’s major economies, the EU, AU and international financial institutions. Shettima is expected back in Nigeria after the summit.

Source: Punch

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Speaking in Uyo, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary,  Alh. Muhammadu Mamman, said the administration is approaching grid management differently and created the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) to drive stability and reduce outages.

He noted that years of inadequate funding, ageing infrastructure, and vandalism had contributed to nationwide blackouts, forcing homes and businesses to rely on costly alternatives.

The minister said NISO’s retreat offers an opportunity to reassess operations and ensure a more efficient and reliable grid.

NISO Board Chair Adesegun Akin-Olugbade praised staff for their role in the successful synchronisation of Nigeria’s grid with the West African Power Pool, describing it as a milestone that demonstrated the operator’s growing credibility.

Read Also: Nigeria Secures $238m JICA Loan to Boost Power Grid

NISO Managing Director Abdul Mohammed said the organisation was established to help attract private investment and maximise existing infrastructure. He described the power sector as capital-intensive and noted that government spending has not matched the level required to ensure a stable grid.

Akwa Ibom’s government commended NISO’s performance, saying the operator has shown discipline and clarity in executing its mandate.

Source: Punch

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The event, themed “Dear Entrepreneurs, We See You, We Hear You,” is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and seeks to engage entrepreneurs from various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, technology, creative industries, and energy.

According to the presidency, the dialogue will provide a platform for open discussions between policymakers, investors, and innovators on key issues such as access to finance, ease of doing business, industrial growth, and digital innovation.

Read Also: FG Pledges Continued Support For Youth Empowerment

Chalya Maryam Shagaya, senior special assistant to the president on entrepreneurship development, described the initiative as a defining moment to align policies that empower Nigerians to build and innovate. She said the Tinubu administration remains committed to achieving a $1 trillion economy driven by enterprise and inclusive growth.

The engagement will conclude with a presidential address reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs as central drivers of national transformation.

Source: Thecable

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