Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has addressed concerns from investors and international partners following a joint security operation conducted by Nigerian and US forces in Sokoto on Christmas Day. Edun emphasized that Nigeria is not engaged in conflict with itself or any other nation, but is targeting terrorist groups threatening national stability.
Edun stated, “What Nigeria is decisively confronting—alongside trusted international partners—is terrorism. This distinction is important, and it is fundamental to understanding the positive economic implications of recent actions.”
He described the operation as “precise, intelligence-led, and focused exclusively on terrorist elements that threaten innocent lives, national stability, and economic activity.” According to Edun, such actions are intended to strengthen peace and protect economic interests rather than destabilize markets.
“Far from destabilising markets or weakening confidence, such actions strengthen the foundations of peace, protect productive communities, and reinforce the conditions required for sustainable growth. Security and economic stability are inseparable; every effort to safeguard Nigerians is, by definition, pro-growth and pro-investment,” he said.
The minister highlighted progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in both security measures and economic reforms. He reported GDP growth rates of 3.98% in the third quarter of 2025 after a 4.23% increase in the previous quarter. Inflation has also slowed for seven consecutive periods and now stands below 15%, which Edun attributed to coordinated fiscal and monetary policies.
Edun noted that financial markets remain stable with functioning domestic and international debt markets supported by prudent fiscal management. He pointed out that Nigeria received credit rating upgrades from Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s over the past year as evidence of reform success.
“As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu noted in his address last week, our overarching objective for 2026 is to consolidate the gains of 2025, strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience, and continue building a sustainable, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy. The actions we take today—on security, reforms, and fiscal discipline—are aligned with that goal,” Edun added.
He assured investors that as markets reopen on December 29th they can expect continued focus on reforms and stability: “The fundamentals are strengthening, the policy direction is clear, and the resolve of this administration—to protect lives, secure prosperity, and grow the economy—is unwavering.”
“Nigeria remains open for business, anchored in peace, and firmly focused on the future,” he concluded.