President Bola Tinubu has declared that 2026 marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth for Nigeria, pledging to drive down inflation further, strengthen foreign reserves and sustain the country’s GDP growth trajectory.

In his New Year message to Nigerians on Thursday, the President expressed confidence in the nation’s collective resolve, saying the new year would be a more prosperous one for the country, its citizens, and all who call Nigeria home.

Tinubu argued that during 2025, his administration sustained momentum on major reforms, achieved a fiscal reset and recorded steady economic progress. Despite persistent global economic headwinds, he said, Nigeria 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,” he stated.

The President disclosed that Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong note, with annualised GDP growth expected to exceed four per cent for the year.

Trade surpluses were maintained, and greater exchange rate stability was achieved, while inflation declined steadily to below 15 per cent, in line with his administration’s target.

“In 2026, we are determined to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household,” he said.

Tinubu pointed to the performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which, he said, posted a robust 48.12 per cent gain in 2025, consolidating its bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.

On foreign reserves, he disclosed that sound monetary policy management had seen reserves stand at $45.4bn as of December 29, 2025, providing a substantial buffer against external shocks for the Naira. He expressed optimism that this position would strengthen further in the new year.

Foreign direct investment, the President noted, was also responding positively. In the third quarter of 2025, FDI rose to $720m, up from $90m 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, had consistently affirmed and applauded.

Tinubu recalled that he recently presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, emphasizing that his administration had implemented critical reforms 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,” he said.

As inflation and interest rates moderate, the President said, his administration expected increased fiscal space for productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development.

He commended states that had aligned with the national tax harmonization agenda by adopting harmonized tax laws to reduce the excessive burden of taxes, levies, and fees on citizens and basic consumption.

The new year, Tinubu added, marks a critical phase in implementing tax reforms designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria.

On security, the President acknowledged that the nation continues to confront threats from criminal and terrorist elements.

He disclosed that in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24.

The Armed Forces, he said, had 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,” the President stated.

He reiterated his belief that a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards and anchored on accountability, was critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges.

Tinubu also announced plans to 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, he said, the administration would stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities. Investment would also continue in modernising Nigeria’s infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture, to strengthen food security and improve quality of life.

The President called on all Nigerians to play their part, describing nation-building as a shared responsibility that required unity of purpose, patriotism, and service with honour and integrity.

“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,” he stated.

British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from the hospital following a road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday, which claimed the lives of his two close friends, Lateef Ayodele and Cina Gami.

In a Wednesday statement co-signed by Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, and Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Ogun State, the governments of Lagos and Ogun states expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased.

“The governments of Lagos and Ogun states once again commiserate with the families of the two young men, Lateef Ayodele and Cina Gami, who tragically and unfortunately lost their lives in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua. We pray the Almighty grant the repose of their souls whilst granting their families and loved ones the fortitude to bear this very sad and painful loss,” the statement read.

The statement confirmed that Joshua was discharged from the hospital late on Tuesday afternoon, describing him as “heavy-hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends,” but “deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home.”

It further noted that Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos on the same day to pay their final respects to his deceased friends, who were being prepared for repatriation later in the evening.

The statement also expressed gratitude to medical personnel who attended to the boxer and other injured parties:

“The team of doctors and medical personnel at Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, who attended to Anthony and those who sustained injuries, displayed quality care and professionalism that is truly commendable,” it said.

Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also thanked the public and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support during the period.

Recall that we had reported that the accident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday, when the Lexus Jeep conveying Joshua, with registration number KRD 850 HN, collided with a stationary truck along the busy expressway. The crash resulted in the deaths of two passengers and injuries to others, including the boxing champion.

The authorities are continuing investigations into the incident, while public appeals have been made for patience and cooperation as officials manage the aftermath.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress.

Obi, who is also a former Governor of Anambra state, urged Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”

Obi announced his defection at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, on Wednesday, where he delivered a New Year address, accusing the current political leadership of state capture, economic mismanagement, and systematic erosion of democratic values.

“This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest. I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress. History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.

Presenting his defection as part of a larger national mission, Obi said Nigeria had reached a critical turning point and could no longer afford politics of division.

“As the year 2025 ends today, we stand on the threshold of a new beginning. For Nigeria, moments of profound national challenge demand clarity of purpose and decisive action. That moment is now,” he said.

He described Nigeria as a nation in deep distress, citing widespread poverty, unemployment and insecurity, saying, “With over 130 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and more than 80 million youths unemployed, our people are in persistent agony. This is not the destiny God bequeathed to over 220 million Nigerians.

“Nigeria is looted into poverty”

Obi rejected claims that Nigeria’s crisis was inevitable, arguing that leadership failure, not lack of resources, was responsible.

“As a nation, we are not poor; we are looted into poverty. Nigeria is not broken; Nigeria is severely betrayed. The average Nigerian is not lazy or incompetent, but the system is rigged to reward mediocrity and recycle failure,” he said.

He accused the political elite of deliberately exploiting ethnic and religious divisions to remain in power.

“Their expertise lies in creating more divisions to sustain themselves in office. With little or no interest in unity or inclusive development,” he said.

Obi issued a strong warning over the integrity of future elections, insisting that reforms of the electoral system were non-negotiable.

He cautioned against attempts to rig the 2027 general elections.

Drawing from his international engagements, Obi compared Nigeria’s trajectory with countries that have achieved rapid development through unity and effective leadership.

He also cited Indonesia as an example of how leadership choices matter. “Indonesia and Nigeria started with similar characteristics,” Obi noted, “but while Indonesia is now a trillion-dollar economy, Nigeria is grappling with de-industrialisation, corruption and deepening poverty.”

Obi criticised the Federal Government’s tax reforms, describing them as anti-people and economically counterproductive.

He described reports of a forged tax law as a dangerous precedent. “A tax regime founded on forgery cannot build trust, unity or prosperity,” Obi said.

Positioning his defection as a strategic move toward 2027, Obi said opposition unity was essential to defeating what he described as “a government that thrives on division and propaganda.”