…reiterates need for decentralised Police
President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s foreign direct investment is responding positively to the ongoing Federal Government economic reforms, rising to $720 million,in the third quarter of 2025, up from $90 million in the preceeding quarter.
This is just as the President assured that Nigeria would emerge stronger in 2026, if ongoing reforms were sustained and strengthened
President stated in his new year message that this reflects renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction, which global credit rating agencies, including Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s, that had been consistently affirmed and applauded.
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President Tinubu noted that his Administration had implemented critical reforms that are laying a solid foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.
“With patience, fiscal discipline, and unity of purpose, Nigeria will emerge in 2026 stronger and better positioned for sustained growth”, he noted.
With the policies driving down inflation and interest rates moderate, the President expressed optimism for increased fiscal space for productive investment in infrastructure and human capital development.
The President noted that his tax policies were aimed at confronting the challenge of multiple taxation across all ters of Government.
He however commend States that had 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”.
He stated that the nation had continued to confront security threats from criminal and terrorist elements who were 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 noted.
Bouyed by this success, 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, complemented by properly regulated forest guards, all anchored on accountability, is critical to effectively addressing terrorism, banditry, and related security challenges.
In the area of food security, President Tinubu said Government is using policies in agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining, to stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities.
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In the area of infrastructure, he said his administration would also continue to invest in modernising Nigeria’s infrastructure – roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture to strengthen food security and improve quality of life.
He assured that “All ongoing projects will continue without interruption.”
President Tinubu described nation-building as ” a shared responsibility”, and called on all Nigerians to ” 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.”
