CBN projects bullish capital market, stronger growth for Nigeria in 2026

The Central Bank of Nigeria has forecast that the nation’s capital market will remain bullish in 2026, driven by the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise, rising investor confidence, and supportive policy measures.

This outlook is detailed in the CBN’s newly released “Macroeconomic Outlook for Nigeria, 2026: Consolidating Macroeconomic Stability Amid Global Uncertainty.”

Key projections from the CBN report include: economic growth expected to rise to 4.49% in 2026, up from 3.89% in 2025, supported by structural reforms and a gradual easing of monetary policy and inflation projected to moderate to an average of 12.94% in 2026, aided by declining food prices and lower fuel costs due to improved domestic refining capacity.

Also, external reserves are forecast to increase to $51.04 billion, backed by stronger exports, steady remittances, and higher oil and gas output. The current account surplus is expected to reach $18.81 billion.

The CBN emphasized that the bank recapitalisation programme will strengthen financial stability, deepen market activity, and enhance the banking sector’s ability to support private-sector-led growth.

While highlighting potential risks—including inflationary pressures, global market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and possible oil production disruptions—the apex bank reaffirmed its commitment to balancing price stability with economic growth.

It stated that appropriate policy tools would be deployed to sustain exchange rate stability, attract foreign investment, and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s financial markets.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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