President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his government’s new tax regime will support shared prosperity, sustained growth and long-term economic stability.
In his New Year message, he said the reforms are meant to harmonise taxes, end multiple taxation, raise revenue sustainably and strengthen funding for infrastructure and social programmes, not to overburden citizens.
He praised states that have already adopted harmonised tax laws, noting that a streamlined system will reduce excessive levies and improve Nigeria’s fiscal foundation.
Tinubu said the difficult reforms carried out in 2025 are already producing measurable gains despite global economic headwinds, and that more benefits will reach ordinary Nigerians in 2026.
He highlighted a growth plan to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 people in each of the country’s 8,809 wards through agriculture, trade, food processing and mining.
The President said 2026 will mark a more robust phase of economic growth, with his administration focused on consolidating gains and building an inclusive, resilient economy.
He recalled presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, stressing that recent fiscal and structural reforms are laying a solid base for long-term stability and prosperity.
According to him, Nigeria ended 2025 on a strong note, with robust GDP growth in every quarter and annual growth projected above four per cent, alongside trade surpluses, better exchange rate stability and inflation reduced below 15 per cent.
Tinubu added that the Nigerian Stock Exchange recorded a 48.12 per cent gain in 2025 and that foreign reserves reached 45.4 billion dollars by December 29, helping to support the naira.
The President said investor confidence is returning, with foreign direct investment jumping to 720 million dollars in the third quarter of 2025 from 90 million dollars in the previous quarter.
He also noted that major credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Fitch and Standard and Poor’s have consistently endorsed Nigeria’s economic direction.
Tinubu pledged to continue investing in critical infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education and agriculture, and promised that all ongoing projects will continue without interruption.
On security, Tinubu said economic progress must go with peace and stability, acknowledging persistent threats from criminal and terrorist groups.
He revealed that Nigeria, working with international partners including the United States, recently struck terrorist targets in parts of the North West and will sustain intensive operations across the North West and North East in 2026.
He reaffirmed support for decentralised policing, backed by regulated forest guards, as part of broader efforts to protect lives, property and the country’s territorial integrity.
Tinubu appealed for national unity and urged Nigerians to see nation-building as a shared duty that requires patriotism, integrity and a common sense of purpose.
He called on citizens to be better neighbours and better stewards of the country so that the goals set for 2026 can be achieved.
The President wished Nigerians a peaceful, productive and prosperous New Year and prayed for protection for the nation and its armed forces against all forces threatening peace.
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