Tinubu Hails 4.43% Q2 GDP Growth, Promises Palliatives As Economy Stabilises

ABUJA, NIGERIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed a new report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, framing it as definitive proof that his administration’s economic reforms are yielding results.

The Q2 2026 growth rate marks an improvement from the 4.23 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025. According to the NBS, economic expansion was recorded across key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, and the service sector, which continues to dominate the nation’s aggregate GDP. In nominal terms, Nigeria’s aggregate GDP for the quarter rose to N119.27 trillion, an 18.43 per cent jump from the N100.7 trillion recorded in Q2 2025.

Reacting to the data, President Tinubu stated that the positive report comes at a crucial time, directly countering criticisms from political opponents who have vowed to reverse his policy directions.

“In the past three years, we tried to do the hard part by implementing the necessary reforms to stabilise the economy,” Tinubu said in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “Now the economy is stabilised, and we have laid the foundation for a prosperous nation.”

The President pointed to several milestones as evidence of a recovering economy, including a 17-year high in foreign reserves, consistent trade surpluses, upgraded international credit ratings, and a return of foreign investors. He also highlighted domestic social achievements, noting the lack of university strikes due to the student loan scheme (NELFUND) and expanded consumer credit for civil servants via Creditcorp.

Acknowledging that macroeconomic growth must translate into tangible benefits for everyday Nigerians, Tinubu promised immediate interventions to ease current hardships. He announced that the federal government will roll out cheaper public transport options, boost food production, and expand grassroots relief programmes in the coming weeks.

“Under our watch, the economy is on the irreversible path to experience even more growth that all homes will feel at the dining table and in their pockets,” the President assured.