 |
| Image:X |
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday delivered his New Year address to Nigerians, marking the beginning of 2026 with a message of hope, reflection, and renewed commitment to national development.
In the nationwide broadcast, the president reviewed his administration’s performance in 2025 while outlining key priorities for the economy, security, governance, and social development in the year ahead.
Welcoming Nigerians into the new year, Tinubu expressed gratitude to God and confidence in the collective resolve of citizens to build a more prosperous nation.
He noted that despite the challenges faced globally, his administration sustained the momentum of major reforms throughout 2025, describing the year as one marked by fiscal reset and steady economic progress.
According to the president, the reforms undertaken over the past year have begun to yield measurable gains, particularly in the economy.
He stated that these achievements reaffirm the government’s belief that the difficult but necessary policy decisions were essential in setting Nigeria on the right path, with more tangible benefits expected for ordinary Nigerians in the coming months.
Speaking on economic performance, Tinubu revealed that Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong footing. Despite deliberate policies aimed at curbing inflation, the country recorded robust GDP growth across all quarters, with annualised growth projected to exceed four per cent.
He added that trade surpluses were maintained, exchange rate stability improved, and inflation declined steadily, reaching below 15 per cent in line with government targets.
The president assured Nigerians that reducing inflation further remains a top priority in 2026, stressing that economic reforms must translate into real relief for households across the country.
He highlighted the strong performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which posted a 48.12 per cent gain in 2025, consolidating a bullish run that began in the latter half of 2023.
Tinubu also disclosed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a significant buffer against external shocks to the naira.
He expressed optimism that this position would strengthen further in 2026, supported by sound monetary policy management.
In addition, foreign direct investment showed strong recovery, with inflows rising to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the previous quarter, reflecting renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.
On fiscal discipline and tax reforms, the president referenced the recent presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.
He reiterated that critical reforms implemented by his administration are laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.
Tinubu emphasised that patience, unity, and fiscal discipline are required for Nigeria to emerge stronger and better positioned for sustained growth.
Addressing concerns over multiple taxation, Tinubu said his administration is confronting the issue across all tiers of government.
He commended states that have aligned with the national tax harmonisation agenda by adopting unified tax laws aimed at reducing the excessive burden of taxes, levies, and fees on citizens and businesses.
According to him, the new year marks a critical phase in implementing tax reforms designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal system.
On security and national stability, the president acknowledged that the path of reform is not easy but remains necessary.
He noted that economic progress must go hand in hand with peace and security, as Nigeria continues to face threats from criminal and terrorist elements.
Tinubu 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.
He added that Nigeria’s Armed Forces have sustained operations against terror networks and criminal strongholds across the Northwest and Northeast, assuring citizens that security agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners in 2026 to eliminate all threats to national security.
Tinubu reaffirmed his belief in decentralised policing, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, as a critical strategy in tackling terrorism and banditry.
Turning to inclusive growth and social development, the president described 2026 as the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth that will bring tangible improvements to the lives of Nigerians.
He announced plans to accelerate the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aimed at bringing at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering no fewer than 1,000 people in each of the country’s 8,809 wards.
Tinubu said the government would continue investing heavily in infrastructure, including roads, power, ports, railways, airports, healthcare, education, agriculture, and food security. He assured Nigerians that all ongoing projects would continue without interruption.
Concluding his address, Tinubu called on Nigerians to embrace unity, patriotism, and responsibility in 2026. He described nation-building as a shared duty, urging citizens to serve with honour and integrity in their respective roles.
The president wished Nigerians a peaceful, productive, and prosperous New Year, praying for continued protection and stability for the nation.
#ExclusiveUpdate
#ViralContent
No comments:
Post a Comment