By By Elizabeth Ugbo
ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, rallied governors, lawmakers and party leaders at the Presidential Villa to consolidate economic reforms and deepen grassroots engagement as his administration prepares a N58.18 trillion 2026 budget aimed at accelerating growth, strengthening security and expanding revenue.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum and Renewed Hope Ambassadors Strategic Summit, Tinubu declared that Nigeria is shifting from economic stabilisation to full-scale growth acceleration in 2026.
Tinubu: Elections Are Conducted by Nigerians, Not Social Media
Tinubu addressed opposition voices and party faithful directly.
“Elections are conducted by Nigerians, not on social media platforms,” he said.
He urged members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors platform to take reform messages to wards, markets and campuses. According to him, presence, truth and trust will determine political success.
Furthermore, he challenged party supporters to counter misinformation with verified facts and sustained engagement.
2026 Budget to Mark Economic Acceleration
The President disclosed that the proposed N58.18 trillion 2026 budget will pivot from stabilisation to acceleration.
He announced record capital expenditure and the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history. Additionally, the budget will include tax reforms designed to protect vulnerable citizens while broadening the revenue base.
Tinubu said inflationary pressures are easing. He added that fuel supply disruptions have been addressed. Moreover, he noted that the naira shows stronger fundamentals, supported by interventions from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
National Assembly Backs Reform Architecture
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to the administration’s reform agenda.
Abbas described fiscal consolidation, subsidy restructuring and tax reforms as foundational for long-term prosperity. However, he warned that government must bridge policy gaps between intent and public perception through transparency.
He proposed a quarterly reform interface between federal and APC-controlled state legislatures. He also suggested launching a “Renewed Hope Public Dashboard” to publish simplified data on revenues, capital projects and social interventions.
“Our economy is picking up. Major investment decisions across Africa increasingly favour Nigeria,” Abbas said.
SGF Pushes for Measurable Governance Outcomes
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, urged governors to institutionalise Central Results Delivery and Coordination Units at the state level.
“Governance must move from policy pronouncements to measurable outcomes,” he said.
Akume advocated structured youth and women participation in monitoring reform implementation. He argued that genuine participation deepens political ownership and sustains reform momentum.
Tinubu Urges Reconciliation in Benue APC
Tinubu also called on Akume to reconcile with Governor Hyacinth Alia for unity in Benue State.
He praised Akume’s public service record, from Benue’s director of protocol and permanent secretary to two-term governor, senator, minister and now SGF.
“Let’s build the area together,” Tinubu appealed.
The reconciliation call comes amid tensions within the Benue APC. The dispute involves ward executives, nominations, appointments and House of Assembly loyalties. These disagreements threaten federal-state collaboration on security and development in the agrarian North-Central state.
Reform Phase: From Correction to Credibility
Tinubu described the administration’s first phase since 2023 as one of “difficult but necessary corrections.”
He stated that structural reforms have restored fiscal credibility and stabilised key macroeconomic indicators. As a result, Nigeria now positions itself for sustainable growth.
