President Tinubu urges more investment in food security, solid minerals, and energy during his visit to France, reinforcing Nigeria’s open-for-business stance.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with France in vital sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defence.
His statement came after a high-profile meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des L’Élysée in Paris, on Thursday.
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During a joint press conference, President Tinubu highlighted the vast untapped potential in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and urged international investors, particularly from France, to explore opportunities within the nation.
He stressed the importance of investments in food security, emphasising Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a key facilitator for foreign investment.
“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing, creating a conducive environment for investment, especially in food security,” said Tinubu.
“It is our responsibility to create a food security programme that will attract private sector investments into the country.”
Tinubu also pointed to the government’s efforts to create a stable environment for economic growth, noting that Nigeria was actively working towards enhancing foreign direct investment (FDI) to improve the livelihoods of its citizens.
“Nigeria is open for business, with a youthful population eager for entrepreneurship and development opportunities,” he stated.
The Nigerian president further stressed the need for collaboration with the French government to develop Nigeria’s youth through training initiatives.
“We should work together to de-risk the solid minerals sector, which holds vast potential,” he added.
Tinubu’s remarks also touched on the critical issue of food security, stating that no child should go to bed hungry in the 21st century.
He noted that feeding children in Africa could significantly improve education outcomes, as hungry students are less likely to stay engaged in school.
“We must tackle the challenge of food security, as a starved nation cannot focus on other issues,” Tinubu remarked. “If African children are given proper nutrition, they will stay in school and learn.”
On the issue of security, President Tinubu highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in tackling terrorism and irregular migration.
He stressed Nigeria’s readiness to partner with France on security operations to address migration challenges and bolster regional stability.
In addition, the President outlined Nigeria’s vast untapped blue economy potential, particularly in the fishery sector.
“In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean, and fishery represents an important investment opportunity,” he said, assuring the French investment community that Nigeria is “open for business,” with an accessible and investor-friendly environment.
French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged President Tinubu’s visit as a milestone in strengthening Nigeria-France relations.
Macron highlighted collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives as areas for continued partnership.
He also stressed that global humanitarian challenges could only be addressed through joint efforts between governments.
“We are confident that your leadership will reinforce the relationship between our two nations, with Nigeria playing a pivotal role in the West Coast region through ECOWAS,” President Macron said.
Macron also reiterated his commitment to encouraging further investments in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, citing the recent agreement signed during a political meeting with Nigerian officials.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, had presented the sector’s potential to French investors during the meeting.
The high-profile visit, which also included a warm welcome for President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, by President Macron and his wife Brigitte, further underscores the strengthening ties between Nigeria and France.
