President Bola Tinubu has told President Emmanuel Macron of France that Nigeria hopes to see more investment in food, solid minerals, education, defense and energy sector.
President Tinubu, who stated this during a high-profile meeting with President Macron at Palais des L’Élysée on Thursday, said Nigeria is open for business.
“The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another’s country,” he said.
He emphasized Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security.
“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security.
“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.
“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,” the President stated.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment that would directly impact the livelihood of the citizens.
“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated, and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” he said.
He also implored the French government to extend to Nigeria training that would develop the youthful population.
“Furthermore, we should de-risk the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potentials and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship,” he added.
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria, like most African nations, had been preoccupied with tackling issues of food security.
“A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st Century no child should go to bed hungry.
“If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem in getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us,” he explained.
On security, the President noted that there was a need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism.
“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration,” he noted.
President Tinubu said the blue economy in Nigeria also provides a huge opportunity for investment, with unexplored potential in fishery.
“In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment.
“We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in, and easy out,” the President added.
President Macron appreciated Tinubu for the state visit. He said the French and world leaders have confidence in his ability to lead the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“We have confidence that you, Mr President will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role.
“I will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.
“We appreciate your visionary leadership and energy in transforming the economy of your country. We will work together for collective, global success,” he said.
Udeze Ekene
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