President Bola Tinubu has commended corporate Nigeria, market operators and investors for pushing the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) past the ₦100 trillion market capitalisation milestone.
The President described the achievement as a source of inspiration for participants in the money and capital markets. He made the remarks in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to deepen their investments in the domestic economy, expressing optimism that 2026 would deliver even stronger returns.
“With the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) crossing the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation.
“In 2025, while many of the world’s markets struggled with stagnation or tepid recovery, the NGX All-Share Index was on the ascent. It closed 2025 with a 51.19% return, higher than the 37.65% recorded in 2024.
“This performance ranks among the highest in the world. 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,” Tinubu stated.
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He said the country was no longer a frontier market to be overlooked but a compelling destination where value is being unlocked. According to him, the stock market’s performance reflects broader economic health and growing investor confidence in Nigeria.
“On the NGX, we have witnessed remarkable performances from listed companies across all sectors. From blue-chip industrial giants that have localised their supply chains, to a banking sector that has demonstrated resilience and technological innovation, Nigerian companies are proving that the country can deliver strong returns on investment.
“And we are just getting started. The pipeline for new and upcoming listings looks robust. More indigenous energy firms, tech unicorns, telecoms, and infrastructure-heavy entities are seeking to access the public market to fund their expansion. As these firms are listed, they will boost market capitalisation and deepen democratic ownership of the Nigerian economy,” the President maintained.
Tinubu said his administration was equally encouraged by the broader economic impact of its reforms. He noted that inflation had begun to ease following initial reform-related pressures.
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“After the initial headwinds that followed our reforms, we are finally seeing a bend in the inflation curve. Crucial monetary tightening and the removal of distortionary ‘Ways and Means’ financing have restored stability to the Naira.
“Furthermore, investments in the agriculture sector have contributed to a consistent decline in inflation over the past eight months. From a 24-month high of 34.8% in December 2024, inflation decelerated to 14.45% as of November 2025, with projections indicating it will reach 12% in 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,” Tinubu said.
He also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s external position, including stronger current account balances and foreign reserves.
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Tinubu said Nigeria recorded a $16 billion current account surplus in 2024 and that, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the balance is projected to rise to $18.81 billion in 2026, from $16.94 billion in 2025.
“Under our administration, Nigeria is exporting more and importing less of what we can produce locally. Non-oil exports surged by 48% by the third quarter of 2025, totalling N9.2 trillion. Exports to Africa alone rose by 97% to N4.9 trillion. Manufacturing exports increased by 67% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, suggesting a strong close to the year.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have crossed the $45 billion mark, giving the Central Bank the firepower to maintain stability. The Naira has stabilised, moving away from the volatility that once fuelled speculation. The Central Bank of Nigeria, in its latest outlook, projects foreign reserves will cross the $50 billion threshold in the first quarter of 2026,” Tinubu added.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
