President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, 03 March, called on the global business community to ignore old perceptions and avail the multiple investment opportunities that Nigeria offers now. He stressed that his administration is actively removing obstacles to business, including corruption, to facilitate smoother investment processes. Speaking at the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha, the Qatari capital, President Tinubu gave his assurances that investors can access him to put forward their concerns including reporting officials who attempt to or demand bribes from them.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu assured the international business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business as his administration will deal decisively with any entrenched interests in the country that undermine investor confidence in the Nigerian economy, pledging to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise. The President told Qatari investors that Africa’s largest economy and its systems are being reformed and upgraded and asked them to report any government official who demands a bribe or any form of inducement at any point in their business endeavour, moving forward, with full assurance of their direct access to the President’s Office. Moreover, the President noted that the war against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria had been significantly strengthened with the appointment of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser (NSA). The President also noted that Nigeria possesses vast opportunities in various fields, telling his host: “We have oil and gas; we have solid minerals. I do not see why we cannot become prolific partners in exploring iron ore, as well as steel production, and energy across the board.
“I am here to give you assurances in all spheres: tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and many other opportunities that abound around us. Do not be the investors who miss out on the golden opportunity we present,” the President added. Welcoming the Nigerian delegation in the presence of Qatari captains of industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce, and Industry, said his country looks forward to exploring opportunities in Nigeria, owing to its population demography and market, as it seeks to prioritize new investments in low carbon initiatives, mineral products, petroleum chemicals, industry, and consumables.
