A new survey by PwC Nigeria has revealed rising confidence among business leaders, with 91 per cent of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) expressing optimism that Nigeria’s economy will improve in 2026. This marks a sharp rise from 64 per cent in 2025, while 56 per cent said they are very or extremely confident about their organisations’ revenue growth — well above the 30 per cent global average.
The findings point to a significant shift in sentiment regarding Nigeria’s operating environment, as macroeconomic stability begins to influence boardroom outlooks.
PwC also reported improved expectations about the global economy, with 81 per cent of Nigerian CEOs anticipating stronger global growth in 2026, compared to 61 per cent who held that view a year earlier.
However, the survey indicated that as macroeconomic pressures ease, firm-level risks are becoming more pronounced. Cybersecurity threats ranked among the top concerns, with 38 per cent of Nigerian CEOs saying they feel highly or extremely exposed, up from 25 per cent in 2023.
Concerns over technological disruption also rose, increasing from 22 per cent to 25 per cent, as digital tools and artificial intelligence become more embedded in core business operations. This, according to PwC, is driving greater emphasis on cybersecurity, data governance, and the ability of organisations to scale emerging technologies effectively.
The survey results were presented at the second edition of PwC’s Executive Roundtable on Nigeria’s 2026 Budget and Economic Outlook, held in Lagos. The event convened CEOs, C-suite executives, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss how Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic environment can translate into sustainable growth.
Themed “Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2026: The Executive Playbook for Growth, Resilience, and Efficiency,” the session drew from PwC’s West Africa Economic Outlook 2026, Nigeria’s 2026 Budget and Fiscal Strategy Insights, and the formal launch of the Nigerian findings from PwC’s 29th Annual Global CEO Survey.
In his opening remarks, PwC Nigeria’s Country Senior Partner, Sam Abu, said recent monetary and foreign exchange reforms have contributed to improved macroeconomic stability.
“Stability, however, is not the end goal,” Abu noted. “CEOs are examining the business landscape through two lenses — managing near-term threats such as geopolitical tensions and cyber risks, while also focusing on long-term opportunities in technology, data, AI, and strategic reinvention.”
He added that while optimism is rising, the real test for businesses in 2026 will be their ability to translate improved confidence into productivity and sustainable growth.
Also speaking at the event, Frank Aigbogun emphasised the critical role of private sector leadership in driving long-term national development. He noted that Nigeria currently has the capacity to finance only a portion of the infrastructure required for sustainable growth, stressing the need for improved tax compliance and stronger civic responsibility among businesses to support public investment.
In the same vein, Attah drew attention to ongoing changes in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, pointing out that the transfer of assets from international oil companies to indigenous operators represents a significant shift in ownership structure and highlights the expanding role of local firms in stimulating investment and value creation.
