Paris: President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to boosting collaboration in crucial areas such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense during discussions with President Emmanuel Macron.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, at a joint press conference held in Paris, Tinubu underscored the substantial, yet largely untapped, potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He encouraged international investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s favorable investment climate. Tinubu remarked, “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.”
Tinubu further highlighted Nigeria’s thriving financial sector as a catalyst for foreign investment, especially from French businesses, to strengthen 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,” stated Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman.
Tinubu assured that Nigeria’s economy is being restructured to attract more Foreign Direct Investment, which would benefit the citizens’ livelihoods. He emphasized that Nigeria is open for business, with a vibrant youth population eager to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development.
The President urged the French government to offer training that would nurture Nigeria’s youthful population. He also called for joint efforts to mitigate risks in the solid minerals sector, highlighting Nigeria’s potential for a deeper bilateral relationship with France.
On the subject of food security, Tinubu emphasized the urgency of addressing hunger issues, stating, “A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st Century no child should go to bed hungry.”
Regarding security, Tinubu emphasized the need for collective efforts to combat terrorism, expressing Nigeria’s readiness to partner with France to tackl
e migration challenges. He also pointed to the blue economy in Nigeria as a promising area for investment, particularly in fisheries.
President Macron acknowledged Tinubu’s visit as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties, with a focus on creative industries and youth-centric initiatives. Macron expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership to enhance the relationship with Nigeria and the West Coast region, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for global success.
During the visit, an agreement was signed to encourage more investments in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, as presented by Mr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development. President Tinubu and his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, were received with full honors by President Macron and his wife at Hotel Les Invalides and Palais De l’Élysée.