New Year 2026: Nigerians Share Expectations From Tinubu Administration

As Nigerians ushered in the year 2026, feelings of uncertainty, fear, and cautious hope dominated public conversations across the country. These emotions were largely influenced by the persistent insecurity and the economic adjustments experienced in the previous year, 2025, which deepened hardship for many citizens.

Despite these concerns, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his New Year address delivered on January 1, 2026, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future. He assured Nigerians that the economic reforms initiated in 2023 were gradually yielding results and had reached a stage of maturity. According to the President, these reforms are expected to stimulate economic expansion and integrate no fewer than 10 million Nigerians into productive economic activities.

In this report, several Nigerians from different professional backgrounds shared their expectations for the Tinubu-led government in 2026, highlighting areas they believe require urgent attention to improve the well-being of citizens compared to the outgoing year.

Transparency and Accountability in Tax Reforms

A legal practitioner, Sylvester Agih, emphasized that the implementation of newly introduced tax laws would remain a major national issue throughout 2026. He noted that controversies surrounding alleged alterations of gazetted documents could continue to dominate public discourse if not properly addressed.

According to him, President Tinubu must approach the enforcement of these tax laws with maturity, openness, and sincerity. He stressed that transparency would be crucial in restoring public confidence in government policies.

Agih further stated that accountability should not end at tax collection. He explained that Nigerians deserve to see tangible evidence of how collected taxes translate into improved public services and infrastructure that directly benefit the common citizen. In his view, governance should ultimately reflect service to the people.

Tackling Insecurity Across the Nation

A Kwara-based entrepreneur and university lecturer, Hassan Alowonle, identified insecurity as his foremost concern for 2026. He urged the President to confront the problem decisively by dismantling all bandit and terrorist networks across the country, regardless of the social or political influence of those involved.

Alowonle expressed deep concern over the surge in violent attacks in Kwara State, describing the level of insecurity experienced in 2025 as unprecedented. He lamented that residents now live in constant fear, unable to sleep peacefully, and called for urgent government intervention to restore safety and stability.

Support for Farmers and Power Supply Improvement

From another perspective, Benedict Onoja, a journalist based between Kaduna and Abuja, appealed to the President to prioritize the welfare of farmers, particularly those in rural and remote areas.

He emphasized the importance of making fertilizers readily available and affordable to peasant farmers, noting that agricultural productivity is critical to national food security. Onoja also identified poor electricity supply as a major obstacle to the growth of small-scale businesses, urging the government to address the power sector more aggressively.

Additionally, he called for a stronger political will to combat terrorism, especially in farming communities where insecurity has disrupted food production and livelihoods.

Personal Resolve Over Government Expectations

Offering a contrasting view, Mcfrederick Akor Edache, convener of the Frederick Emergency Response Support Initiative (FREER), stated that he holds no expectations from either the President or the Nigerian state in 2026.

He explained that his focus is solely on achieving his personal goals without relying on government intervention or external assistance. While acknowledging that supportive policies could make life easier, he maintained that his aspirations remain independent of political developments.

Addressing Unemployment and Fair Recruitment

Another Nigerian, Divine Mike, appealed to President Tinubu to introduce policies aimed at reducing unemployment, particularly among young graduates.

He lamented the rising unemployment rate and alleged that many public sector job opportunities are often monopolized by influential individuals, leaving qualified candidates unfairly excluded. According to him, this trend has denied many Nigerians the chance to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Mike advised the President to adopt transparent recruitment practices similar to those implemented by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, where employment was based strictly on merit and examination performance rather than political connections.

He also urged the President to intensify military action against terrorists and bandits, warning that reliance on foreign intervention could portray the government as weak. In his view, national security should be treated as a priority rather than a political tool.

Food Prices, Fuel Costs, and Local Government Autonomy

Patience Samuel appealed to the President to take decisive steps to regulate the prices of food items and petroleum products. She expressed concern that fuel prices often remain high at filling stations despite official announcements of reductions by relevant authorities.

She also called on the President to enforce full compliance with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy. According to her, many state governors continue to exert control over local government funds, releasing only a small portion to council chairmen.

Samuel argued that this practice has hindered grassroots development and weakened local governance. She suggested that the Federal Government should withhold allocations from states that fail to comply with local government autonomy as a means of enforcing accountability.