President Bola Tinubu has projected a further improvement in Nigeria’s external position, saying the country’s current account balance is expected to rise to $18.81 billion in 2026, up from an estimated $16.94 billion in 2025, driven by ongoing economic reforms.
The President made this known on Thursday while commending investors, corporate organisations, and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s capital market following the Nigerian Exchange’s (NGX) historic crossing of the ₦100 trillion market capitalisation mark.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the market milestone as a reflection of renewed investor confidence and the broader economic impact of policy reforms implemented by his administration.
According to the President, the strong performance of the stock market aligns with improving macroeconomic indicators, including easing inflation and greater stability in the foreign exchange market. He attributed recent gains to tighter monetary policy and the discontinuation of distortionary “Ways and Means” financing, which he said have helped restore confidence in the naira.
Tinubu also highlighted the role of increased investment in agriculture and domestic production, noting that inflation has declined steadily over the past eight months. He said inflation fell from a peak of 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent by November 2025, with projections pointing to further moderation in 2026.
On trade performance, the President said Nigeria is exporting more while reducing imports of goods that can be produced locally. Non-oil exports rose by 48 per cent by the third quarter of 2025 to ₦9.2 trillion, while exports to African countries climbed by 97 per cent to ₦4.9 trillion. Manufacturing exports also recorded a 67 per cent year-on-year increase in the second quarter of 2025.
He noted that the NGX All-Share Index delivered a return of over 51 per cent in 2025, outperforming several global and emerging market indices, and described Nigeria as an increasingly attractive investment destination.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to deepen their participation in the local economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger growth outcomes as reforms continue to take effect.
