Ignoring Nigeria will be a peril to the universe, Tinubu tells investors

By Abiodun OBA

…Says Nigeria is ready for business

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advised global investors that ignoring Nigeria will be a peril to the universe.

The President spoke on Thursday in Paris, France, while receiving the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), Prof. Benedict Oramah, and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud–Basso, in separate meetings, on the sidelines of the Summit for New Global Financing Pact.

According to a statement issued by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Strategy, Tinubu assured the delegation of Afreximbank Executives led by Dr Oramah that the Federal Government will continue to stimulate the economy with policies that support investments in areas of Nigeria’s competitive advantage, particularly agriculture.

“We need reforms for national survival,’’ he added, noting that it would take boldness and courage to reposition the economy, calling for more collaboration to solidify the economy.

The statement further quoted him as saying: “We must stimulate recovery for the growth and prosperity of our people, which will not be far away. Nigeria is ready for global business, and our reform is total.

“Nigeria is blessed with human and material resources.”

Tinubu assured that ongoing reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and streamlining of the exchange rate, will be sustained for a more competitive economy that attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

He therefore, urged investors to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria.

“We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments,’’ he said,

President Tinubu told the delegation, who had earlier listed areas of interventions to buoy the economy, like infrastructure, health, energy, and agriculture.

The President of Afreximbank commended President Tinubu for the bold steps in removing the fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate, assuring the Nigerian leader of the full support of the financial and development institution on the ongoing reforms.

Dr Oramah said the bank was already building the first African Specialist Hospital in Abuja, and Energy Bank, pledging to inject more money into the economy to build the confidence of investors further.

In the meeting with the EBRD, President Tinubu said, “We are challenged in terms of reforms, and we have taken the largest elephant out of the room with the removal of fuel subsidy, and multiple exchange rates are equally gone. We are determined to open up the economy for business. Consider us a stakeholder in the Bank.’’

He told the EBRD President that Nigeria’s economy was too large and potent to be ignored, adding, “Ignoring Nigeria will be a peril to the universe.’’

Renaud-Basso said it would be a mistake for the development bank not to invest in Nigeria after considering six potential economies for investment.

She explained that the focus would be on the private sector, especially Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).