….reiterates need for decentralised Police
President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s foreign direct investment (FDI) is responding positively to the federal government’s ongoing economic reforms, rising to $720 million in the third quarter of 2025 from $90 million in the preceding quarter.
He also assured that Nigeria would emerge stronger in 2026 if the reforms are sustained and strengthened.
The President stated in his New Year message that the increase reflects renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction, which global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s, have consistently affirmed.
President Tinubu noted that his administration has implemented critical reforms aimed at laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.
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“With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained growth,” he said.
With policies driving down inflation and interest rates moderating, the President expressed optimism that increased fiscal space would be created for productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development.
He added that his tax policies are targeted at addressing the challenge of multiple taxation across all tiers of government.
He, however, commended 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 citizens and 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,” he said.
The President noted that the nation has continued to confront security threats from criminal and terrorist elements determined to disrupt Nigeria’s 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,” he said.
Buoyed by these successes, President Tinubu assured that security and intelligence agencies would 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,” he added.
The President also reiterated his belief that a decentralised policing system, with appropriate safeguards and complemented by properly regulated forest guards anchored on accountability, is critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges.
On food security, President Tinubu said the government is deploying policies in agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining to stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities.
On infrastructure, he said his administration would continue to invest in modernising Nigeria’s infrastructure, roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture, to strengthen food security and improve the quality of life.
He assured that all ongoing projects would continue without interruption.
President Tinubu described nation-building as “a shared responsibility” and called on Nigerians to stand together in unity and purpose, uphold patriotism, and serve the country with honour and integrity in their respective roles.
“Let us resolve to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better stewards of our nation,” he said.
