The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the 2026 Federal Budget has been carefully designed to consolidate the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, which he noted is already beginning to yield positive results.
In an op-ed published on Monday and titled “A Defining Moment for Nigeria: Why Staying the Course Matters,” the Minister described the 2026 proposal—tagged the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”—as a strategic instrument to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate inclusive growth.
According to Idris, the past 31 months have marked a period of difficult but necessary economic adjustments aimed at ending long-standing stagnation and laying the foundation for long-term stability. He said emerging indicators point to progress, including expanding business activity, improved investor confidence, easing inflation, and strengthened external reserves.
“These are not just numbers,” the Minister stated. “They are the foundation for lasting improvement in the daily lives of Nigerians.”
Beyond macroeconomic indicators, Idris stressed the importance of trust, transparency, and consistent communication between the government and citizens, reaffirming his commitment to keeping Nigerians informed about government policies, challenges, and achievements.
He highlighted key social and economic interventions designed to directly impact citizens, including the student loan scheme under NELFUND, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative to reduce transportation costs, and youth-focused programmes such as the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), the Jubilee Fellows Programme, and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative. Efforts to address food insecurity, he added, include the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and expanded agricultural mechanisation.
On infrastructure development, the Minister cited flagship projects such as the Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and new rail lines aimed at lowering logistics costs and improving national connectivity.
Addressing security concerns, Idris said the Federal Government is strengthening recruitment, equipping security agencies, and enhancing international cooperation. He pointed to the recent rescue of abducted students in Kebbi and Niger States as evidence of renewed commitment in the fight against insecurity.
While acknowledging public fatigue amid ongoing reforms, the Minister assured Nigerians that the government is determined to accelerate relief measures. He urged citizens to view nation-building as a collective responsibility by engaging constructively, safeguarding public assets, and rejecting misinformation.
Idris commended President Tinubu’s calm and decisive leadership, noting that recent engagements with the United States had helped to strengthen bilateral relations and Nigeria’s anti-insurgency efforts.
As the new year begins, the Minister called on Nigerians to remain focused on the future. “We have laid a new foundation,” he said. “Now, we must build the house together.”
He reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation will remain open, accountable, and consistent in communicating government policies, while wishing Nigerians a peaceful and productive year ahead.
