President Bola Tinubu has hailed the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) for crossing the N100 trillion market capitalisation threshold, describing the feat as a signal that Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” the President said.
He attributed the strong performance to Nigerian companies demonstrating their capacity to deliver solid investment returns across sectors, from blue-chip industrial firms localising supply chains to banks advancing technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms were preparing to list on the exchange, a development he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months, from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025, projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, the elimination of Ways and Means financing, and increased agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
According to him, Nigeria’s current account surplus reached 16 billion dollars in 2024, with the Central Bank of Nigeria projecting 18.81 billion dollars in 2026, reflecting a shift toward exporting more and importing fewer locally producible goods.
He said non-oil exports rose by 48 per cent to N9.2 trillion by the third quarter of 2025, with exports to African markets nearly doubling to N4.9 trillion, while manufacturing exports grew by 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Tinubu added that foreign reserves had crossed 45 billion dollars and were expected to exceed 50 billion dollars in the first quarter, providing the CBN with what he described as the capacity to maintain currency stability and curb volatility.
The President also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads and port revitalisation, as well as progress on the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways.
He said improvements in healthcare facilities were reducing medical tourism costs, while students were benefiting from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund and universities were receiving increased research grants.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
Tinubu described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifice and citizen focus, pledging to continue efforts to build an egalitarian, transparent and high-growth economy driven by tax and fiscal reforms that took full effect from Jan. 1.
