President Bola Tinubu has asked investors in France to invest more in Agriculture, re affirming Nigeria’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense.
President Tinubu at a joint Press Conference, highlighted the vast, yet largely untapped potentials within Nigeria’s agricultural sector and beckoned international investors to capitalize on the nation’s welcoming investment climate.
“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.”
A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuaga said the President emphasised 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.
President Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment that will 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,”
The President implored the French government to extend to Nigeria trainings that will develop the youthful population noting 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,”
On security, the President noted that there was a need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism.
Adding that 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,”
President Tinubu said the blue economy in Nigeria also provides a huge opportunity for investment, with unexplored potentials 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 noted.
President Macron acknowledged President Tinubu’s state visit as a milestone heralding deeper bilateral relationships, particularly emphasizing collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.
The French President noted that the global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together.
Editor: Ken Eseni
