The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the 2026 national budget is strategically designed to consolidate the gains of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reform agenda and accelerate inclusive growth.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in an op-ed titled “A Defining Moment for Nigeria: Why Staying the Course Matters,” where he said the administration’s economic reforms are already yielding measurable results.
President Tinubu presented the proposed ₦58.18 trillion 2026 budget to the National Assembly in December 2025, with priority spending targeted at security, infrastructure, health and education. The budget is anchored on key assumptions, including a $64.85 per barrel oil benchmark, daily oil production of 1.84 million barrels, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the dollar.
Describing the fiscal plan as pivotal to sustaining reform momentum, Idris said: “Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical. It is a commitment to double down on what is working, to solidify gains, and to ensure that the shared prosperity we speak of becomes a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster.”
Under the proposal, major allocations include ₦5.41 trillion for defence, ₦3.56 trillion for infrastructure, ₦3.52 trillion for education, and ₦2.48 trillion for health.
The Minister noted that the past 31 months have been marked by difficult but necessary decisions aimed at ending long-standing economic stagnation and laying the groundwork for a more stable future. According to him, early signs of progress are now emerging, with expanding business activity, improving investor confidence, easing inflation and strengthening external reserves.
“These are not just numbers,” Idris said. “They are the foundation for lasting improvement in the daily lives of Nigerians.”
Beyond economic indicators, the Minister stressed the importance of trust and transparent communication between government and citizens, reaffirming his commitment to keeping Nigerians informed about policies, challenges and progress.
He highlighted key interventions targeted at improving livelihoods, including the student loan scheme under NELFUND, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to cut transportation costs, and youth-focused programmes such as LEEP, the Jubilee Fellows Programme and the 3MTT initiative.
Idris also pointed to ongoing efforts to address food insecurity through the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and expanded mechanisation, alongside major infrastructure projects such as the Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, the AKK Gas Pipeline and new rail developments aimed at lowering costs and boosting national connectivity.
On security, he said the government is intensifying recruitment, equipment upgrades and international cooperation, citing the recent rescue of abducted students in Kebbi and Niger States as evidence of renewed focus and commitment.
Acknowledging the fatigue felt by many Nigerians, the Minister assured that the government is determined to fast-track the delivery of relief through sustained reforms. He urged citizens to view nation-building as a shared responsibility by engaging constructively, safeguarding public assets and rejecting misinformation.
Idris also commended President Tinubu’s calm and decisive leadership, noting that recent engagements with the United States have strengthened bilateral relations and enhanced Nigeria’s anti-insurgency efforts.
As the new year begins, the Minister called on Nigerians to remain focused on the future. “We have laid a new foundation,” he said. “Now, we must build the house together.”
He reiterated that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation will remain open, accountable and consistent in communicating government policies and actions, while wishing Nigerians a peaceful and productive year ahead.
