The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has described the 2026 budget as a carefully structured plan aimed at consolidating the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reform agenda.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister referred to the budget, titled “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” as pivotal to sustaining the progress already recorded.
According to Idris, the budget reflects the Federal Government’s determination to deepen reforms, strengthen economic gains, and ensure that prosperity reaches a wider section of Nigerians.
He observed that the past 31 months have involved difficult but necessary decisions to tackle long-standing economic challenges and establish a more stable foundation for the future.
The minister highlighted emerging signs of progress, including increased business activity, rising investor confidence, easing inflation, and stronger external reserves.
“These figures are more than statistics; they underpin lasting improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Beyond economic performance, Idris emphasised the importance of transparency and trust between government and citizens, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to keeping Nigerians informed about policies, challenges, and achievements.
He outlined programmes aimed at directly improving livelihoods, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to reduce transportation costs, and youth-focused initiatives such as LEEP, the Jubilee Fellows Programme, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative.
The minister also highlighted efforts to combat food insecurity through recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and increased agricultural mechanisation.
On infrastructure, he pointed to key projects such as the Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and new rail developments designed to enhance connectivity and lower transportation costs.
Addressing security, Idris noted that the Federal Government is reinforcing recruitment, upgrading equipment, and expanding international cooperation, citing the recent rescue of abducted students in Kebbi and Niger States as evidence of renewed commitment to national security.
He urged Nigerians to embrace nation-building as a collective responsibility, calling on citizens to engage constructively, protect public assets, and reject misinformation.
Idris commended President Tinubu’s steady and decisive leadership, highlighting that recent diplomatic engagements with the United States had strengthened bilateral relations and supported Nigeria’s anti-insurgency efforts.
“As the new year begins, Nigerians should remain focused on the future. A new foundation has been laid, and the task now is to build together,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation would continue to operate openly, accountably, and consistently in communicating government policies and actions.
