Nigerian CEOs optimism rises, with 91% expecting economic improvement in 2026 and 56% confident in revenue growth, PwC survey reveals

A survey by PwC Nigeria has found that 91 per cent of Chief Executive Officers are optimistic that the Nigerian economy will improve in 2026, up from 64 per cent in 2025, while 56 per cent reported being very or extremely confident in their organisation’s revenue growth, compared with 30 per cent globally.

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The PwC survey, released during the firm’s Executive Roundtable on Nigeria’s 2026 Budget and Economic Outlook in Lagos, highlighted a significant improvement in CEO sentiment regarding the local business environment.

“Their outlook on the global economy has also strengthened, with 81 per cent expecting global growth to rise in 2026, compared with 61 per cent last year,” the report stated.

The survey noted that as Nigeria’s macroeconomy stabilises, firm-level and operational risks are becoming more pronounced.

Cybersecurity now ranks among the most significant threats, with 38 per cent of Nigerian CEOs reporting high exposure, up from 25 per cent in 2023.

Concerns about technological disruption also increased from 22 per cent to 25 per cent, reflecting the growing role of digital tools in core operations.

The findings were presented at the second edition of PwC Nigeria’s Executive Roundtable, themed “Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2026: The Executive Playbook for Growth, Resilience, and Efficiency.”

The event convened CEOs, C-suite executives, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss how improving macroeconomic stability can translate into sustainable growth.

Speaking at the session, Country Senior Partner of PwC Nigeria, Sam Abu, said: “Stability, however, is not the end goal. CEOs today are looking at the world through two lenses: a microscope for near-term threats such as geopolitical tensions and cyber risks, and a telescope for long-term opportunities in strategic reinvention, technology, data, and AI. Our CEO Survey shows optimism is rising: 90 per cent of Nigerian CEOs expect the economy to improve over the next 12 months, and 56 per cent are very or extremely confident in their organisation’s revenue growth.”

Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay, highlighted the role of business leadership in driving long-term development.

He stressed that Nigeria can fund only a fraction of necessary infrastructure and emphasised the importance of tax compliance and constructive civic engagement.

The roundtable also examined Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where the transfer of assets from international companies to Nigerian operators signals a growing role for indigenous firms in investment and value creation.

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The PwC findings underscore a surge in confidence among Nigerian business leaders, reflecting optimism that disciplined economic reforms and macroeconomic stability can drive sustained growth and resilience in 2026.