FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, West Africa’s premier financial institution and a leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced the Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026, scheduled to hold on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. The annual thought-leadership session will be held under the theme “The Great Calibration: Mastering Resilience in an Era of Asynchronous Growth.”
The event comes at a critical moment for Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), which continue to grapple with rising operating costs, foreign exchange volatility, inflationary pressures, and shifting consumer behaviour.
Designed as a customer-facing economic briefing, the Nigeria Economic Outlook is one of FirstBank’s flagship platforms aimed at equipping individuals, entrepreneurs, and corporate decision-makers with practical insights to navigate Nigeria’s evolving economic terrain at the start of the year.
Why the Outlook Matters to SMEs and Everyday Nigerians
For thousands of Nigerian entrepreneurs — from small retailers and manufacturers to exporters and service providers — economic policy decisions often translate directly into daily survival choices: whether to expand, downsize, adjust pricing, or explore new markets.
The 2026 edition of the Nigeria Economic Outlook will review Nigeria’s economic performance over the past year and provide a forward-looking assessment of growth prospects, inflation trends, interest rates, exchange rate movements, and access to finance — issues that directly affect SMEs and household incomes.
For small business owners seeking stability in an uncertain environment, the forum offers something critical: clarity.
By translating macroeconomic data into real-world implications, FirstBank says the session will help business owners, investors, and individuals plan better, manage risks, and identify emerging opportunities across sectors.
FirstBank Reaffirms Commitment to Business Growth
Speaking ahead of the event, the Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, described the session as part of the bank’s broader commitment to empowering Nigerians with knowledge and tools for economic success.
“FirstBank remains dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Nigerian businesses and individuals, and this event is a testament to that commitment,” she said.
“As we welcome the new year, the Nigeria Economic Outlook will serve as a platform for our customers and stakeholders to learn how to navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s economic landscape in 2026.”
Ijabiyi noted that beyond analysis, the session is designed to provide actionable insights that can help SMEs and individuals make informed financial and strategic decisions.
“This initiative aims to help them drive transformative progress, allowing both businesses and individuals to thrive in the new year,” she added.
Expert Insights to Guide Business Decisions
The session will feature a lineup of leading economists, policy analysts, and industry experts, reflecting FirstBank’s role as a trusted partner in Nigeria’s economic discourse.
The keynote address will be delivered by Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director, Research & Trade Intelligence at Afreximbank, who is expected to provide insights into Nigeria’s economic outlook within the context of global trade dynamics and Africa’s growth trajectory.
A high-level panel discussion will follow, focusing on resilience, private sector growth, investment flows, fiscal and monetary coordination, and how businesses can adapt to structural shifts in the economy.
Panelists include Olusegun Zaccheaus (PwC), Francis Anatogu (Transaharan), Professor Bongo Adi (Lagos Business School), Niyi Yusuf (Verraki), Cheta Nwanze (SBM Intelligence), alongside senior FirstBank executives and investment specialists.
The discussion will be moderated by Chike Uzoma, Head, Strategy & Corporate Development at FirstBank.
Bridging Big Economics with Real Lives
For many SMEs, forums like the Nigeria Economic Outlook offer more than theory. They provide guidance that shapes decisions on hiring, investment, borrowing, expansion, and survival.
By creating a platform where global economic trends are broken down into local realities, FirstBank continues to position itself not just as a financial institution, but as a strategic partner to Nigerian businesses and households.
Interested participants can register to attend the virtual session via Zoom.
As Nigeria continues to recalibrate its economy amid reforms and global uncertainty, FirstBank says it remains committed to supporting financial aspirations, driving inclusive growth, and shaping a more resilient economic future for all Nigerians.
