Korede Abdullah 
Minister of Finance and Economy, Wale Edun
LAGOS, Nigeria – Nigeria’s economy is projected to grow by 4.68 per cent in 2026 as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to deliver investment-led and inclusive growth, Finance Minister Wale Edun says.
Speaking at the launch of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook in Lagos on Thursday, Edun says the forecast aligns with the administration’s medium-term ambition of achieving seven per cent annual growth and building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
“The economy in 2026 is projected to grow at 4.68 per cent, consistent with our path to seven per cent growth per annum,” the minister says.
He also projects average inflation at 16.5 per cent and an exchange rate of about ₦1,400 to the dollar, noting that recent reforms are beginning to stabilise key macroeconomic indicators.
Edun stresses, however, that government focus extends beyond statistics.
“It is not about the metrics or the percentages; it is about the lived experience of Nigerians — electricity supply, food availability and improved welfare,” he says.
He explains that the 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” reflects President Bola Tinubu’s determination to translate macroeconomic gains into tangible improvements for households and businesses.
According to the minister, reforms currently prioritise macroeconomic stability, an improved investment climate, human capital development and broad-based growth, with the private sector playing a central role.
He highlights investments in digital infrastructure, fiscal discipline and revenue reforms aimed at reducing debt dependence and blocking leakages.
Urging Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to invest, Edun says, “The private sector is indispensable to sustaining growth,” assuring continued delivery of “real benefits to the average Nigerian.”
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