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FG Welcomes Positive IMF Assessment of Nigeria’s Economy, Vows to Sustain Reform Momentum
The Federal Government has welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2026 Article IV Mission Concluding Statement, describing it as an independent validation of the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform programme.
In a statement, the government noted the IMF’s overall positive assessment, saying the Fund’s observations confirm that the bold reforms implemented over the past three years are strengthening macroeconomic stability, restoring investor confidence, and laying a solid foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.
The IMF highlighted several key achievements, including improved functioning of the foreign exchange market, stronger external buffers, ongoing fiscal and revenue reforms, and resilience in the banking sector. These developments, the government said, have enhanced Nigeria’s ability to withstand external shocks compared to recent years.
Particular emphasis was placed on the impact of major policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidies, the end of deficit monetisation, the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, and strengthened fiscal discipline. According to the statement, these measures have significantly reduced economic vulnerabilities and rebuilt confidence.
Despite new global challenges arising from the Middle East conflict — including higher energy and food prices, tighter financial conditions, and supply chain disruptions — the IMF acknowledged Nigeria’s notable resilience. The parallel market premium has remained below five percent, sovereign spreads have stayed broadly stable, and investor confidence has been preserved.
The Fund also noted that Nigeria is well positioned to benefit from elevated energy prices through increased export earnings, improved fiscal revenues, and higher foreign exchange inflows. The government said it will focus on translating these opportunities into lasting gains by ramping up crude oil production, expanding domestic refining capacity, boosting gas production and exports, and attracting fresh investments across the energy sector.
Addressing Poverty and Food Insecurity
The government acknowledged the IMF’s observation that poverty and food insecurity remain pressing challenges. While per capita income grew by nearly 10 percent in 2025, indicating a marked reduction in poverty levels, authorities stressed that macroeconomic stability alone is not enough.
To ensure inclusive growth, the government is strengthening social protection programmes, including direct cash transfers to vulnerable households, support for small businesses, student loans through NELFUND, consumer credit schemes, and healthcare investments.
In the agricultural sector, efforts are being scaled up through the Renewed Hope National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme and other initiatives aimed at boosting productivity, expanding irrigation, improving access to inputs and financing, and strengthening food security.
The government also welcomed the IMF’s recognition of progress in domestic revenue mobilisation and public financial management. It pledged to continue implementing new tax laws, digitising revenue collection, and improving transparency and accountability. Steps are already being taken to enhance fiscal data integrity and meet the highest international standards in economic and fiscal statistics.
Positive Medium-Term Outlook
The IMF projects continued economic growth above four percent over the medium term, alongside improving external reserves, rising investment, and stronger fiscal revenues. Public debt has declined as a percentage of GDP, while reserve buffers have strengthened significantly. These positive developments complement recent sovereign credit rating upgrades by international agencies.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability, accelerating inclusive growth, deepening structural reforms, improving the investment climate, expanding infrastructure, and enhancing human capital development and job creation.
“While challenges remain, the direction is clear and the foundations are stronger,” the statement said. “The ultimate objective of these reforms is not merely improved economic indicators, but better outcomes for all Nigerians — lower inflation, decent jobs, higher incomes, greater economic opportunity, and a better quality of life.
An independent panel has begun its investigation today into the deaths of 37 people who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.
The Federal Government constituted the 10-member committee last week following the deaths, which occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The victims, described as suspected illegal miners, had been arrested during enforcement operations against artisanal mining activities in the state days earlier.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the panel’s formation, stating it would examine the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detention and deaths. The committee, chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure, has been given two weeks to submit its report. It is also mandated to determine any negligence or misconduct, recommend accountability measures and propose steps to prevent a recurrence.
Twenty NSCDC officers, including the Niger State Commandant, have been suspended pending the outcome of the probe. Authorities have stressed that any attempt to interfere with the investigation or destroy evidence will be treated as a serious offence.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with reports of overcrowding and poor ventilation in the detention facility cited among possible factors. Officials have confirmed that medical and forensic examinations are under way to establish the precise causes of death.
News
UK court jails Nigerian man for masturbating in front of a woman
British Transport Police said Odutola approached a woman on the train, looked her up and down and became aggressive when she refused to engage with him. He then exposed himself while sitting in a wheelchair and began masturbating while staring at the woman and telling her to “come over”
•A Nigerian man and registered sex offender, Babatunde Odutola
A Nigerian man and registered sex offender, Babatunde Odutola has been jailed in the UK after exposing himself and masturbating in front of a woman on a train travelling towards Manchester.
Odutola, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 14, after pleading guilty to outraging public decency and breaching a suspended sentence order.
The incident occurred around 7pm on Friday, September 11, on a train travelling through Cheshire towards Manchester Piccadilly railway station.
British Transport Police said Odutola approached a woman on the train, looked her up and down and became aggressive when she refused to engage with him. He then exposed himself while sitting in a wheelchair and began masturbating while staring at the woman and telling her to “come over”.
A fellow passenger intervened and escorted the distressed woman from the carriage.
According to police, CCTV footage showed Odutola continued masturbating as other passengers walked through the carriage.
British Transport Police officers arrested him after the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly. He was subsequently prosecuted and jailed within 72 hours of the incident
News
Digital Economy Minister Says NDPC Now Properly Functional With New HQ
” An asset recovered on behalf of the Nigerian people has now been returned to productive use for the Nigerian people. That is reform made tangible,” he said .
Abuja| NDPC new headquarters commission , Tuesday, 15 September,2026.
An EFCC-recovered property allocated to the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, has been transformed to the new headquarters of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in Abuja, as its headquarters.
Speaking during the commissioned ceremony of the building, the Honourable Minister incharge of the ministry, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, described the facility as a tangible demonstration of the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his commitment to building strong institutions that can support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The Minister emphasised that said the occasion represented more than the opening of a new office, but a reflection of the administration’s commitment to strengthening the institutions required to protect Nigerians and build trust in the country’s digital economy.
Dr. Tijani said, “Shortly after assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu signed the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law, giving the NDPC the appropriate legal foundation and authority to protect the data and privacy rights of Nigerians.
The President also directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to comply with established data protection laws and frameworks, demonstrating that government must lead by example in upholding the standards it expects from citizens and businesses.”
He added, “In the early days of the Commission, it was difficult to ask an institution to protect the data of over 200 million Nigerians and support one of Africa’s largest digital economies without the institutional resources to do so.
President Tinubu recognised this challenge and moved to solve it, approving the resources required for the NDPC to become properly operational and functional, while building towards becoming a sustainable institution in its own right.
He also directed that an EFCC-recovered property be allocated to the Commission as its headquarters.
“An asset recovered on behalf of the Nigerian people has now been returned to productive use for the Nigerian people. That is reform made tangible,” he said .
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