FG ASSURES NIGERIANS 2026 BUDGET WILL CONSOLIDATE REFORM GAINS
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the 2026 national budget is strategically designed to consolidate the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in an op-ed titled “A Defining Moment for Nigeria: Why Staying the Course Matters,” highlighted that the economic reforms of the current administration are already producing positive outcomes.
The proposed 2026 budget, presented by President Bola Tinubu in December 2025, amounts to ₦58.18 trillion and prioritises security, infrastructure, health, and education.
Key assumptions in the budget include 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.
“Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical. It reflects our commitment to reinforce what is working, consolidate gains, and ensure that the shared prosperity we envision becomes a tangible reality for more Nigerians, faster,” Idris stated.
Major allocations in the 2026 budget are directed towards defence (₦5.41 trillion), infrastructure (₦3.56 trillion), education (₦3.52 trillion), and health (₦2.48 trillion).
The Minister noted that the past 31 months have involved difficult but necessary reforms, starting with critical economic decisions aimed at ending long-standing stagnation and laying the groundwork for a more stable future.
He highlighted emerging signs of progress, including expanding business activity, rising investor confidence, easing inflation, and strengthening external reserves. “These are not just numbers,” the Minister said. “They form the foundation for lasting improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.”
Beyond economic metrics, he stressed the importance of building trust and maintaining clear communication between the government and the public.
He reiterated his commitment to keeping Nigerians informed about government initiatives, challenges, and progress.
The Minister highlighted key interventions aimed at directly improving citizens’ lives, including the student loan programme (NELFUND), the Presidential CNG initiative to lower transport costs, and youth-focused schemes such as LEEP, the Jubilee Fellows Programme, and the 3MTT initiative.
He also pointed to ongoing measures to address food insecurity, including the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and expanded agricultural mechanisation.
On infrastructure, he underscored major projects such as the Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, the AKK Gas Pipeline, and new rail developments designed to reduce costs and enhance national connectivity.
On security, the Minister stated that the government is enhancing recruitment, upgrading equipment, and strengthening international cooperation.
He pointed to the recent rescue of abducted students in Kebbi and Niger States as evidence of the administration’s renewed focus and commitment to public safety.
Acknowledging the fatigue many Nigerians feel, the Minister assured citizens that the government remains committed to accelerating relief through ongoing reforms.
He urged Nigerians to view nation-building as a shared responsibility, encouraging constructive engagement, protection of public assets, and rejection of misinformation.
The Minister commended President Tinubu for his calm and decisive leadership, highlighting recent engagements with the United States that strengthened bilateral relations and bolstered Nigeria’s anti-insurgency efforts.
As the new year begins, he called on Nigerians to stay focused on the future, saying, “We have laid a new foundation. Now, we must build the house together.”
He reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation will remain open, accountable, and consistent in communicating government policies, while wishing all Nigerians a peaceful and productive year ahead.
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