By Lucy Omakpo
The 2026 budget is set to consolidate the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, which has already shown positive results, according to Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
In a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, the S.A media to the Information minister, Idris noted that the 2026 budget, dubbed “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”, aims to build on the progress made in the past 31 months, with signs of improvement in business activity, investor confidence, inflation, and external reserves.
Idris noted that the government’s efforts are focused on ensuring that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household. Key interventions include the student loan programme (NELFUND), the Presidential CNG initiative, and youth-focused programmes such as LEEP, the Jubilee Fellows Programme, and the 3MTT initiative. The government is also tackling food insecurity through the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and expanded mechanisation.
Major infrastructure projects, including the Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Expressway, AKK Gas Pipeline, and new rail developments, are underway to reduce costs and enhance national connectivity. The government is also strengthening recruitment, equipment, and international cooperation to address security concerns.
Idris urged Nigerians to see nation-building as a shared responsibility, engaging constructively, protecting public assets, and rejecting misinformation. He praised President Tinubu’s leadership, citing recent engagements with the United States that strengthened bilateral relations and Nigeria’s anti-insurgency efforts.
The 2026 budget projects a total revenue of ₦34.33 trillion and total expenditure of ₦58.18 trillion, with a budget deficit of ₦23.85 trillion. The government aims to reduce inflation further and ensure that the benefits of reform reach every Nigerian household.
As the new year begins, Idris urged Nigerians to stay focused on the future, saying, “We have laid a new foundation. Now, we must build the house together.”
