President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged that his administration will empower at least 1,000 citizens in each of Nigeria’s 8,809 wards in 2026, as part of efforts to drive inclusive growth and deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians. Tinubu made the disclosure in his New Year goodwill message, describing 2026 as the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth for the country. “The new year marks the start of a stronger phase of economic growth, with tangible improvements in the lives of our people,” the President said. He explained that the initiative would be implemented through the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, designed to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activities by supporting at least 1,000 people in every ward nationwide. According to Tinubu, the programme will stimulate local economies through sectors such as agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining, while expanding grassroots opportunities. Read Also: New Nigeria Revenue Service Takes Off as 2026 Begins Reflecting on economic progress in 2025, the President said Nigeria recorded robust GDP growth in every quarter, with annualised growth expected to surpass four per cent. He noted that trade surpluses were maintained, inflation declined below 15 per cent, and the Nigerian Stock Exchange posted a 48.12 per cent gain. Foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, while foreign direct investment surged to $720 million in the third quarter, signaling renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction. Tinubu highlighted fiscal discipline and ongoing tax reforms as key to sustaining growth. “The new year marks a critical phase in implementing our tax reforms, designed to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for Nigeria,” he said, noting that harmonising the tax system would raise revenue sustainably and strengthen capacity for infrastructure and social investments. On infrastructure, the President reassured Nigerians that investments in roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture would continue without interruption. Security, Tinubu stressed, remains critical to economic development. He cited decisive actions taken against terrorist targets in the North-West on December 24, in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, and noted ongoing operations against criminal strongholds across the North-West and North-East. “A decentralised policing system with proper safeguards, complemented by professionally trained forest guards, is vital to addressing terrorism and banditry,” he added. The President concluded by calling on Nigerians to embrace unity and shared responsibility in nation-building. “Nation-building is a shared responsibility. Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our nation,” Tinubu urged.
