President Bola Tinubu has praised corporate Nigeria, citizens, and capital market stakeholders for surpassing the N100 trillion market capitalisation milestone on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

Mr Tinubu, in a statement on Thursday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, described the milestone as a strong signal of investor confidence and renewed faith in Nigeria’s economic direction.

“With the NGX crossing the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, Nigeria is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” the president said.

He urged Nigerians to deepen investments in the local economy, assuring that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as reforms continue to mature.

“In 2025, while many global markets struggled, the NGX All-Share Index closed with a 51.19 per cent return, higher than the 37.65 per cent recorded in 2024.

“This performance ranks among the highest globally, outperforming the S&P 500, FTSE 100, and several emerging markets.

“Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored. It is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered,” he said.

He noted impressive performances across sectors, including industry, banking, technology, and infrastructure.

“Nigerian companies are proving that the country can deliver strong and sustainable returns on investment,” the president said.

He said the pipeline for new listings remains strong, with energy firms, telecoms, technology companies, and infrastructure players seeking market access.

Mr Tinubu said additional listings would boost capitalisation and deepen democratic ownership of the economy.

He said reforms were also delivering positive microeconomic outcomes after initial adjustment pressures.

“Inflation has continued to decline following monetary tightening and the elimination of distortionary Ways and Means financing,” he said.

He added that inflation fell from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025.

Mr Tinubu said inflation was projected to decline further in 2026, improving living standards and accelerating GDP growth.

He also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s external position.

“Nigeria posted a $16 billion current account surplus in 2024, with projections rising to $18.81 billion in 2026,” he said.

Mr Tinubu said non-oil exports surged by 48 per cent to N9.2 trillion by the third quarter of 2025.

Exports to Africa rose by 97 per cent, while manufacturing exports grew by 67 per cent year-on-year, he added.

The president said foreign reserves exceeded $45 billion, providing stability for the naira and cushioning external shocks.

He said the Central Bank projects reserves to exceed $50 billion in the first quarter of 2026.

Mr Tinubu also highlighted progress in rail expansion, road construction, and port revitalisation.

He cited the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways as transformative national infrastructure projects.

The president said healthcare delivery was improving, medical tourism costs were declining, and education financing was expanding through NELFUND.

“Nation-building is a process. The N100 trillion market capitalisation signals that Nigeria’s economy is robust and productive,” Mr Tinubu said.

He pledged to continue building a transparent, inclusive, and high-growth economy anchored on fiscal and tax reforms implemented from January 1.

(NAN)