As Nigeria enters a new economic cycle, FirstBank is preparing to host its annual Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. This year’s theme, “The Great Calibration: Mastering Resilience in an Era of Asynchronous Growth,” highlights the uneven nature of global recovery and the strategic adjustments required for Nigerian businesses to thrive.
The forum serves as a critical early-year compass, translating complex macroeconomic data into actionable insights for the bank’s customers and stakeholders.
Key Speakers and Panelists
The 2026 edition features a heavy-hitting lineup of the continent’s most respected economic minds:
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Keynote Speaker: Dr. Yemi Kale, Group Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research & Trade Intelligence at Afrexim Bank.
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The Panel:
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Olusegun Zaccheaus, Chief Economist, PwC
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Professor Bongo Adi, Lagos Business School
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Cheta Nwanze, Lead Partner, SBM Intelligence
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Niyi Yusuf, Managing Partner, Verraki
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Francis Anatogu, Chief Executive, Transaharan
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Internal Experts: Moderated by Chike Uzoma (Head of Strategy, FirstBank), with insights from Osahon Ogieva (Deputy Managing Director) and Laura Fisayo-Kolawole (First Asset Management).
Objectives: Mastering the “Asynchronous” Recovery
In a period where different sectors are growing at different speeds, the Outlook aims to provide a “structural reset” for attendees:
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Expert Reviews: A deep dive into Nigeria’s 2025 performance to understand 2026’s trajectory.
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Strategic Resilience: Identifying tools to manage inflation, interest rate trends, and exchange rate dynamics.
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Business Empowerment: Helping SMEs and individuals make informed decisions that drive “giant transformative progress.”
“The Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 will serve as a platform for our customers and stakeholders to learn how to navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s economic landscape.” — Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank.
Snapshot: FirstBank Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026
| Feature | Details |
| Date | Tuesday, January 6, 2026 |
| Theme | The Great Calibration: Mastering Resilience in an Era of Asynchronous Growth |
| Format | Virtual (Zoom) / Customer-Facing |
| Primary Goal | Equipping businesses with insights for early-year economic positioning |
| Registration | Open via official FirstBank channels |
