Beyond ‘Happy New Year’: What we hope for our lives this 2026

•Nigerians share their dreams, expectations

As Nigerians usher in 2026 amid economic pressures and social uncertainty, YETUNDE AJANAKU examines the hopes, expectations, and quiet ambitions shaping the new year for citizens across different walks of life.

As the fireworks fade and greetings of “Happy New Year” echo across streets, many Nigerians are entering 2026 with hopes that go far beyond celebration. For some, the new year is not about lofty resolutions or grand announcements, but about survival, stability, and small wins that feel increasingly hard to secure. From crowded markets to busy roads and quiet offices, expectations for the year ahead differ sharply, shaped by personal struggles, economic realities, and lessons from the past. Conversations with Nigerians across different walks of life reveal one thing clearly: the desire for a better year is universal, but what “better” truly means is deeply personal.

For street workers, small business owners, students, and educators alike, hopes for 2026 are rooted not only in personal growth but also in the opportunity to make a tangible difference in their lives, their families, and their communities.

Life on the Streets: Dreams Fuelled by Hardship

Comrade Adedeji Adeyeye is a bike operator along Liberty Junction. For 2026, his goal is straightforward: to expand his fleet. “This year, I want to have more bikes,” he said. “With more bikes, I can serve more people and earn better for my family. It’s not just about income; it’s about being able to survive and plan for the future.” Each new bike represents opportunity, stability, and hope in a challenging environment.

Nearby, Mr. Joseph Olaniyan, a keke Maruwa driver since the Ajimobi era, shares a similar sentiment. “I’ve been driving since 2012,” he said, “and my goal this year is to have more Maruwa buses, so I can give more people opportunities and get daily returns from them. I want to reach more people, make my work easier, and grow steadily.” For drivers like Mr. Olaniyan, growth is measured in vehicles, passengers, and the ability to stay afloat in a tough market. Their ambitions, though modest by some standards, are grounded in resilience and determination.

Even small victories on the street matter. A single loyal customer, a well-maintained bike, or a smooth day of fares can represent the difference between stress and hope. For many, survival is intertwined with personal ambition; every extra bike or bus is a step toward financial stability and family security.

From Roadside to Shopfront: Dreams of Growth

At Molete, Olawunmi Oladejo stands by her roadside POS point, handling transactions for passersby. Despite the chaotic environment and constant noise, her gaze is fixed on the future. “I don’t want to keep doing POS at the roadside anymore,” she said. “I want my own shop because I learned how to make hair and wigs — a place where I can grow my business properly. If the government made loans easier to access, people like me could start our own ventures. Business is not something I can do without adding another line, especially with the many competitors around.” Olawunmi’s story is shared by many in the informal economy, where ambition is often hindered by a lack of capital and limited support.

Mrs. Amubikan Yetunde, a plastic seller at Molete Market, echoes a similar desire for upward mobility. Once confined to selling under a bridge, she dreams of becoming a distributor. “I want to move from under the bridge and run my own distribution business. I want to be a blessing to others this year, and my goal is to leave the under-bridge location before the end of the year,” she said with determination. For Mrs. Yetunde, the new year is a chance to turn dreams into action, escape temporary setups, and claim a space that reflects her ambition.

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“Selling under the bridge is not safe, but this year I am determined to have my own store,” she added.

Likewise, Mrs. Muyidat Onaolapo, a hair stylist operating under a bridge, has aspirations that go beyond immediate earnings. “This year, I want to have my own shop and even a fridge for my business,” she said. “Not having my own shop has limited me in so many ways. Most of my customers don’t like to come here. This year, I am determined to grow, keep my customers satisfied, and expand properly.” For market women and small-scale entrepreneurs, such upgrades are more than luxuries; they are essential tools for survival and business growth.

Food on the Table: Surviving Rising Costs

Beyond daily survival, some entrepreneurs are aiming higher. Mrs. Nafisat Adewuyi, who processes and packages food products, said her focus for 2026 is steady growth and doing things the right way. “Our main goal is to send out more export orders, especially to the UK, while continuing to process and package our food products to proper export standards,” she said.

“I have started working on myself to make sure my products get outside my territory this year, and I believe it will come to pass.”

For Nafisat, ambition is not just about immediate income; it is about expanding opportunities, improving quality, and putting Nigerian products on the global map. Her goal reflects a broader vision — that small businesses can thrive beyond local markets and contribute to Nigeria’s economic presence internationally. It is a reminder that even in challenging times, strategic planning and diligence can open doors to new horizons.

Even in service-oriented trades like barbering, ambitions run high. Mr. Olasunkanmi Akintola, a barber around the NNPC area, shared his 2026 goal: personal and professional growth. “I want to renovate and upgrade myself this year. I don’t want to focus on barbering alone; I also want to upgrade my shop to attract new customers,” he said. “I hope to have more people around my shop and take new trainees. Growth isn’t just about money; it’s about the network, the trust, and the reputation.”

For small business owners like him, building relationships and investing in personal branding are crucial to weathering economic challenges. Each visit from a customer represents a vote of confidence, and every satisfied client is a step toward sustainability.

Across the informal economy, entrepreneurs face obstacles such as inflation, unstable markets, and limited access to capital. Yet, the drive to improve, expand, and professionalise operations shows a persistence that is quietly reshaping the Nigerian business landscape, one small step at a time.

Youth and Education: The Next Generation’s Hopes

Not all dreams are about income. For students and young Nigerians, ambition often centres on performance and personal development. Miss Temitayo Alabi, an undergraduate at IRE Polytechnic, shared her hope for the year: “I haven’t gotten a job yet, so this year I want to start my own business. I am tired of sitting at home doing nothing. I want to learn other skills apart from school and open a shop where I can be independent and make a living on my own.”

Even younger voices carry weighty expectations. Ebere Winnie, a senior secondary school student at Victory Christian College, Oluyole, hopes to excel academically and make her parents proud. “This term, I want to do well in all my subjects, especially the ones I had problems with last term,” she said.

Educators’ Vision: Nurturing Independent Thinkers

While students carry personal ambitions, teachers shoulder the responsibility of shaping them. Alishia Adeola, a teacher at Rovel International School, explained her 2026 vision:

“My goal this year is to create a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student feels seen, confident, and capable. I want my students not only to gain knowledge but to build critical-thinking skills, self-discipline, and confidence in their abilities. My vision is to guide them to grow academically and personally, helping them develop a love for learning, strong values, and the courage to ask questions, make mistakes, and improve. Ultimately, I aim to prepare them to be independent thinkers who are ready to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”

Her perspective underscores that aspirations for 2026 go beyond personal achievement; they are about shaping others and creating lasting impact. For students like Temitayo and Ebere, support from mentors and teachers forms a bridge between ambition and reality, making dreams achievable even in a challenging environment.

The Heart of 2026: Personal Growth, Community, and Persistence

Across all these stories, one theme stands out: the year ahead is viewed as a chance for growth, survival, and self-improvement. From informal traders to students, each Nigerian carries dreams shaped by the realities of 2025 — a year many describe as challenging, unpredictable, and often exhausting. Yet, with the turn of the calendar comes hope and a renewed commitment to personal ambition.

For street workers, growth might mean more bikes or vehicles, allowing them to serve more people and earn more consistently. For small-scale business owners, it is about moving from temporary setups to proper shops, accessing loans, or upgrading equipment. For youth, it is about education, self-improvement, and creating pathways to independence. For entrepreneurs like Nafisat, it is about strategic expansion and professionalism. For educators, it is about nurturing capable, confident, and independent thinkers.

Despite the differences in scale and scope, these goals share a common thread: the desire to do better, to rise above yesterday’s limitations, and to embrace 2026 as a year of opportunity.

Reflection: Lessons from Ordinary Nigerians

What emerges from these conversations is a portrait of a society that, while challenged, is far from defeated. There is resilience on every street corner, determination in every shop, and hope in every classroom.

The small victories matter as much as the big ones. Comrade Adedeji’s dream of owning more bikes, Olawunmi Oladejo’s ambition to run a shop, Nafisat Adewuyi’s drive to expand exports, and Ebere’s hope to excel in her studies — each aspiration represents a step forward, a personal milestone, and a testament to perseverance in the face of economic and social obstacles.

Even teachers and professionals demonstrate that ambition is not just personal; it is about creating environments that empower others. Alishia Adeola’s work to guide her students highlights the ripple effect that hope, planning, and mentorship can have across society.

Conclusion: Turning Dreams into Reality

For the Nigerians interviewed, 2026 is not just a date on the calendar. It is a fresh chance to create change, to grow, to invest in themselves, and to push toward better circumstances. Some dreams are modest, others ambitious, but all are rooted in hope.

While challenges remain — from limited access to capital, inflation, unemployment, and academic pressures — the willingness to strive, plan, and envision a better life sets the tone for the year ahead.

In the end, these stories remind us that the start of a new year is not just about resolutions written on paper; it is about action, persistence, and the courage to dream despite reality. For these Nigerians, 2026 represents more than celebration; it represents the possibility of transformation, growth, and progress — one bike, one shop, one export order, one student, and one dream at a time.