Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has asked Qatari investors to bring their investments to Nigeria, encouraging them to report any public officials who demand bribes.
Speaking at the Nigeria-Qatar business and investment forum in Doha on Sunday, Tinubu told the investors that Africa’s largest economy and its systems are being reformed and upgraded.
According to a statement on Sunday, the president assured the international business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business, pledging to remove all bottlenecks hindering profitable and legitimate enterprise.
He encouraged Qatar’s captains of industries to report any government official who demands a bribe or any form of inducement at any point in their business endeavour, assuring them of direct access to his office.
“I am here to give you the assurance that reforms are going on; forget about whatever you heard in the past. Whatever is the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced; it is in the past, because there is no obstacle in the future,” he said.
“Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me.
“Nigeria will no longer be defined by the past, but by what we do now and moving forward. Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest. Nigeria is serious about revolutionizing investment promotion.
“We are removing obstacles today and we are going to continue to remove all obstacles. We have done so much within nine months. And I am assuring you, it is free entry, and free exit. Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country. Bring your investments.”
He said Nigeria possesses vast opportunities in various fields, telling his host that the West African nation is rich in mineral resources.
“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,” he said.
“I am here to give you assurances in all spheres: tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and in many other opportunities that abound around us. Do not be the investors who miss out on the golden opportunity we present.”
Tinubu also said the war against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria has been significantly strengthened with the appointment of Nuhu Ribadu as the national security adviser (NSA).
“We have a man who has won many global awards for anti-corruption as an anti-corruption czar,” he said.
“My responsibility is to tell you that Nigeria is open for business, and to assure you that your investments are safe in our hands. We have men and women of great reputation here. And we believe we can forge a good committee that will advance our discussions to fruitful conclusions.
“A nation is an artificial entity unless there are good people to drive it. People build great nations and we have great people. We are ready.”
Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, 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 prioritise new investments in low carbon initiatives, mineral products, petroleum chemicals, industry, and consumables.
Accompanying the president to the Nigeria-Qatar business forum were Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno governor; Uba Sani, Kaduna governor; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor; Wale Edun, coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance; Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development; Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare; Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy; Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of trade, industry and investment; Jamila Bio Ibrahim, minister of youth; and Ekperipe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (Gas).
Others include Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser; Olu Verheijen, special adviser on energy; and Dele Kelvin Oye, president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
