By Peter Omopo
President Bola Tinubu has lauded corporate Nigeria, investors and other stakeholders in the capital market following the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) crossing the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark.
The President described the milestone as a major boost for investor confidence and an indication of a rejuvenating economy, urging Nigerians to deepen their participation in the local capital market. He expressed optimism that 2026 would deliver even stronger returns as the impact of his administration’s economic reforms becomes more pronounced.
In a statement reflecting on the achievement, Tinubu said the NGX’s performance signalled the emergence of a new economic reality for Nigeria. He noted that while several global markets struggled with stagnation in 2025, the NGX All-Share Index recorded a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming its 37.65 per cent gain in 2024 and ranking among the best-performing indices globally.
According to the President, the Nigerian stock market has outpaced major indices such as the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100, as well as several emerging markets within the BRICS+ group, underscoring renewed investor confidence in the economy.
Tinubu said the strong showing of listed companies across sectors—from industrial firms to banks leveraging technology and resilience—demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to deliver competitive returns on investment. He added that the outlook for new listings remained robust, with indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms and infrastructure-focused entities preparing to access the capital market, a development expected to further deepen market capitalisation and broaden ownership of the economy.
Beyond stock market performance, the President highlighted what he described as positive macroeconomic indicators linked to his government’s reforms. He noted a steady decline in inflation following initial adjustment challenges, citing tighter monetary policy, the removal of “Ways and Means” financing and increased agricultural investments as contributing factors.
According to Tinubu, inflation fell from a 24-month high of 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent by November 2025, with projections indicating a further decline to 12 per cent in 2026 and possibly below 10 per cent before the end of the year.
The President also pointed to improvements in Nigeria’s external position, noting that the country recorded a current account surplus of $16 billion in 2024, with projections by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) placing the figure at $18.81 billion in 2026. He added that non-oil exports rose by 48 per cent by the third quarter of 2025 to N9.2 trillion, while exports to Africa increased by 97 per cent to N4.9 trillion.
Tinubu further disclosed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had exceeded $45 billion, with CBN projections indicating they could cross $50 billion in the first quarter of 2026, contributing to greater stability of the naira.
He also highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education, including rail expansion, major highway projects, port revitalisation, improved medical facilities and access to education financing through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
Describing the N100 trillion market capitalisation milestone as a strong signal of economic resilience, Tinubu pledged to continue pursuing policies aimed at building a transparent, inclusive and high-growth economy, supported by comprehensive tax and fiscal reforms that took effect from January 1.
“The N100 trillion market capitalisation is a signal to the world that the Nigerian economy is robust and productive,” the President said, reaffirming his commitment to sustained economic growth and shared prosperity.
