• Says his administration will deepen cooperation with regional, global partners to eliminate threats to national security

• Restates focus on growth-oriented economy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally opened up on the joint military operations between Nigeria and the United States, aimed at taking the war against terrorists to their hideouts.

Tinubu, in his New Year goodwill message to Nigerians, acknowledged the military action against terrorist cells of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in a suburb of Sokoto State.

President Tinubu, who noted that insecurity is inimical to economic progress, maintained that such attacks on terror networks and strongholds will be sustained in the North-West and North-East zones this year.

He reaffirmed that “in 2026, our security and intelligence agencies will deepen cooperation with regional and global partners to eliminate all threats to national security”.

He said: “My fellow Nigerians, the path of reform is never easy, but it is necessary. We remain mindful that economic progress must be accompanied by security and peace.

“Our nation continues to confront security threats from criminal and terrorist elements determined to disrupt our way of life. In collaboration with international partners, including the United States, decisive actions were taken against terrorist targets in parts of the Northwest on December 24.

“Our Armed Forces have 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. I continue to believe that a decentralised policing system with appropriate safeguards, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, all anchored on accountability, is critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges.”

Speaking on the gains of his economic reform policies, President Tinubu enumerated a robust growth in Gross Domestic Product, trade surpluses, exchange rate stability, soaring foreign reserves which stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025 and a Foreign Direct Investment which has leaped to $90 million.

He said: "As we enter 2026, our focus is on consolidating these gains and continuing to build a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy.

“We closed 2025 on a strong note. Despite the policies to fight inflation, Nigeria recorded a robust GDP growth each quarter, with annualised growth expected to exceed 4 per cent for the year. We maintained trade surpluses and achieved greater exchange rate stability. Inflation declined steadily and reached 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. In 2025, the Nigerian Stock Exchange outperformed its peers, posting a robust 48.12 per cent gain and consolidating its bullish run that began in the second half of 2023.

“Supported by sound monetary policy management, our foreign reserves stood at $45.4 billion as of December 29, 2025, providing a substantial buffer against external shocks for the Naira. We expect this position to strengthen further in the new year.

“Foreign direct investment is also responding positively. In the third quarter of 2025, FDI rose to $720 million, up from $90 million 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, have consistently affirmed and applauded.”

President Tinubu assured Nigerians that “with patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained growth.”

He added further: “As inflation and interest rates moderate, we expect increased fiscal space for productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development.

“We are also confronting the challenge of multiple taxations across all tiers of government. I commend states that have aligned with the national tax harmonisation agenda by adopting harmonised tax laws to reduce the excessive burden of taxes, levies, and fees on our people and on basic consumption.

“The new year marks a critical phase in implementing our tax reforms, 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.”

Concluding his speech, President Tinubu called on Nigerians to acknowledge the fact that nation-building is a shared responsibility and urged all citizens to be willing to play their part and serve the nation with utmost dignity.

“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.” (Nigerian Tribune)