2026:President Tinubu, KSDI, Gov Idris, Omar Gambari, Gov Adeleke, Ladi Hassan Release New Year Messages
As Nigerians rang in the New Year at exactly 12 am on Thursday, January 1, 2026, political figures in the country as a tradition, delivered their New Year messages to wish the citizens a brighter future and make them enter 2026 with confidence and joy.
President Bola Tinubu in his New Year message noted that his administration in 2025 had a fiscal reset and also recorded steady economic progress while sustaining the momentum on ‘our major reforms’.
‘Despite persistent global economic headwinds, we recorded tangible and measurable gains, particularly in the economy.
These achievements reaffirm our belief that the difficult but necessary reforms we embarked upon are moving us in the right direction with more concrete results on the horizon for the ordinary Nigerian’ he said.
The president added that his administration is determined to continue to reduce inflation and ensure that the benefits of reforms reach every Nigerian household in this New Year.
He also talked about the advantages of the tax reforms while noting that the New Year marks a critical phase in implementing the new tax laws.
‘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 annualized 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 reforms 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.
A few days ago, I presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.
In that address, I emphasized that our administration has 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.
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 taxation across all tiers of government. I commend states that have aligned with the national tax harmonization agenda by adopting harmonized 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 harmonizing 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.
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’ he said.
The president also said efforts are being made to confront security threats from criminal and terrorist elements who are determined to disrupt ‘our way of life’ while emphasizing the importance of having a decentralized policing system.
‘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 decentralized 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.
The New Year marks the beginning of a more robust phase of economic growth, with tangible improvements in the lives of our people.
We will accelerate the implementation of the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, aiming to bring at least 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activity by empowering at least 1,000 people in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.
Through agriculture, trade, food processing, and mining, we will stimulate local economies and expand grassroots opportunities.
We will also continue to invest in modernizing Nigeria’s infrastructure – roads, power, ports, railways, airports, pipelines, healthcare, education, and agriculture to strengthen food security and improve quality of life.
All ongoing projects will continue without interruption.
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’ he submitted.
In a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Ademola Adeleke felicitated Osun State people while describing the New Year as ‘an era of victory and prosperity when citizens must engage in electoral vigilance and activism’.
Governor Adeleke praised Almighty God for the successes and achievements of 2025 and prayed for an even more prosperous New Year for all strata of Osun society while describing 2025 as a challenging year for the state due to externally- induced constraints.
He expressed optimism that 2026 will be a year of liberation from all obstacles impeding delivery of good governance and democratic dividends in Osun State.
‘2026 is a defining moment for Osun State as the year for the governorship polls. Some people are busy beating the drums of war. We should pray that God will disappoint them and make their plots come to naught.
Election is not war; it is the exercise of sovereignty by the people. This is a democracy where people reserve the right to vote for leaders of their choice. Any attempt to deny the people their rights to vote amounts to undermining democratic life of the state.
I must also add that those seeking power through inflicting hardship on Osun people will fail at the polls. People will surely use their votes to punish those behind the illegal seizure of Osun funds. There can be no shortcut to power in a true democracy; the votes and voices of the people are the undiluted channels.
Osun is enjoying good governance and I call on our people and residents to rise up in defence of their constitutional rights. We must ensure that our vote count; we must defend our rights to enjoy good governance as enshrined in the constitution.
We are determined to secure another victory in the August polls; our strengths are in God and the people who we have served evidently in the last three years. I will beat my challengers in more than 28 of the 30 local governments in Osun State’ the statement added.
Former Chief of Staff, Government House, Ilorin, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, who is also one of the leading Kwara State PDP gubernatorial aspirants, in a statement issued by his media office and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com sent his warmest greetings to all residents of the State of Harmony and wished them a happy New Year.
Noting that 2026 is a year before an important election- the Kwara State 2027 gubernatorial election, Alhaji Ladi Hassan urged members of the PDP in the state, grassroots supporters, volunteers and other well-meaning Kwarans to keep the flame of hope burning bright.
Urging those who are motivated by the common goal of empowering people and advocating for a better Kwara to remain hopeful and committed, he added that ‘we can make incredible progress as a state’ if we choose the right leaders.
‘As we enter the New Year 2026 today, Thursday, January 1, 2026, I congratulate every Kwaran and I want to note that we can make incredible progress as a state and the commitment we are required to show represents our symbol of strength, confidence and courage.
I am very grateful for the support and total love shown to me in 2025 and I look forward to enjoying the same level of support in the New Year. Thank you. Happy New Year’ he added.
The Leadership and distinguished members of the Kwara South Development Initiatives (KDSI) have also sent warmest greetings to the people of Kwara South and wished them a happy New Year.
Engineer (Dr.) Johnson Bamidele Adewumi, the Asiwaju of Oko Irese, who is the Convener of KSDI, in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that 2025 was a productive year for the KSDI cognizant that it made significant and effective progress towards its goals and objectives.
‘For KSDI, 2025 was a watershed in many ways. The year consummated the vision of KSDI and accelerated the programmes and the agenda of the organization.
As an organization founded on the strength of promoting unity and socio-economic development of Kwara South Senatorial district, it is heartwarming that KSDI successfully organized sensitization and mobilization activities on its declared mandate.
The organization has organized five summits since its inception ( two in Oko in 2022 and 2023, one in Abuja in 2024 and two in 2025 in Lagos and Ilorin which were well-attended by stakeholders from Kwara South in business, politics, civil organisations, security outfits and government at local, state and federal levels.
The year 2025 stands out as a year where Kwara South witnessed unprecedented security challenges as lethal criminalities especially banditry and kidnapping escalated in some parts of the district, notably Ifelodun and Ekiti Local Governments and marginally in Irepodun, Oke Ero and Isin Local Governments.
But KSDI rose to the occasion by partnering with the government to tackle the security menaces.
The KSDI Convener Co-chairs a security committee whose membership is drawn from the council of traditional rulers , government and security outfits. The organization raised and still raises money to prosecute the security mandate of the committee.
We commend the federal, state and local governments for their impactful interventions. We applaud in particular the Kwara State governor, His Excellency, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, for his unwavering commitment to stemming the tide of insecurity in the state. We appreciate our Royal Majesties for their endorsement of the new initiatives being promoted by KSDI. We shall work with you to put the interest of our people first.
On the more positive side, KSDI elevated the Cooperative Societies it had launched the previous year to an enviable level of expansion across Kwara South. There are seven Cooperatives society branches with more to spring up in the New Year.
As we step into 2026, let’s come together in unity, harnessing our collective potential to drive progress. Let the New Year:
Attract investments that boost our economy. Small scale industries are still viable in Kwara South.
Prioritize our safety and security. The government’s forest guards being deployed to the different local governments should be supported in partnership with our community- based local policing initiatives. We must commit human and financial resources to securing our land.
Unlock opportunities for our young people that go beyond politically- motivated empowerment handouts.
Promote inclusive political participation, ensuring every voice is heard.
The road map to 2027 lies in nominating and electing people who are qualified, and who will be accountable to the people. We must organize and mobilize for the INEC registration and for the polls. We must also negotiate with other senatorial districts to get what we desire and deserve.
Let us build a brighter, more prosperous Kwara South.
Happy New Year!’ the statement added.
Kebbi State governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, the Kauran Gwandu, has also extended his warm felicitations to the people of the state on the occasion of the New Year, 2026.
In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yahaya Sarki on Thursday, Governor Idris described the New Year as a period for sober reflection on national and global developments, calling on citizens to renew their commitment to unity, peace, and stability for the overall progress of Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.
He urged the people of the state to remain patriotic, peace-loving, and law-abiding, stressing that genuine love for the nation begins with love for one’s community and fellow citizens.
The governor further urged residents to sustain fervent prayers and collective efforts towards building a stronger and more prosperous Kebbi State and a prosperous country.
Dr. Nasir Idris assured the people of the state that the 2026 Budget of Transformation and People’s Empowerment will significantly improve living standards through expanded income – generating opportunities, enhanced healthcare delivery, quality education, and sustained infrastructure development.
He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of his administration to advancing the welfare of the people, noting that both the Kebbi State Government and the Federal Government are intensifying efforts to decisively address the recurring challenges of insecurity.
The governor emphasized that peace, unity, and harmonious coexistence remain critical to development, describing Nigeria’s diversity as a strength rather than a weakness.
Governor Nasir Idris expressed optimism that 2026 would usher in greater development, enhanced empowerment initiatives, and improved service delivery across the state.
He concluded by wishing the people of Kebbi State a happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.
One of the leading Kwara State PDP gubernatorial aspirants, Mr Omar Bolaji Gambari, who is popularly called ODB, has also congratulated Kwarans on the occasion of the New Year while urging them to ensure that they obtain their PVCs, remain committed to ‘the collective progress of our state’ and vote wisely in the 2027 elections.
‘Dear People of Kwara, Happy New Year!
Despite the challenges we have faced, this New Year offers us a fresh opportunity to come together and work towards a better and more prosperous Kwara.
Let us strengthen our unity, obtain our PVCs, and remain committed to the collective progress of our state. Our vote is our voice, let us use it wisely. May the Almighty guide, protect, and see us through this New Year and beyond. Amen’ he submitted-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
