2026: Tinubu promises robust growth, creation of 10 million jobs

…says new tax policies will raise revenue substantially

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that as economic reforms begin to mature, 2026 will mark the start of robust economic growth, bringing at least 10 million Nigerians into the productive sector, as well as empowering 1,000 persons in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.

In his New Year message, the President said the year would also witness tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

The projected growth, according to him, is tied to the accelerated implementation of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which is aimed at bringing at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering no fewer than 1,000 people in each ward nationwide.

Read also: New tax laws to take off in January 1, Tinubu insists

However, beyond the broad assurances, the message failed to provide specific details on how the objectives would be achieved.

President Tinubu said his administration is “focused on consolidating the gains of 2025” by “continuing to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive and growth-oriented economy.”

He also reiterated plans to proceed with the implementation of the new tax reform policies, despite ongoing criticism over alleged alterations in the gazetted tax laws signed into law.

According to the President, 2026 marks a critical phase in the implementation of the tax reforms, which are 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,” he said.

The President, who also reiterated that “the path of reform is never easy, but it is necessary,” added that economic progress must be accompanied by improved security and peace.

President Tinubu said his administration, in 2025, “sustained the momentum on major reforms,” noting that the government carried out a fiscal reset and 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,” he said.

He added that Nigeria closed 2025 on a strong note, recording robust GDP growth in each quarter, with annualised growth expected to exceed four per cent for the year.

“Despite policies to fight inflation, we maintained trade surpluses and achieved greater exchange rate stability. Inflation declined steadily and fell 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,” the President said.

He also noted that in 2025, the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers, posting a 48.12 per cent gain and consolidating its bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.

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