President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for heightened foreign investments in Nigeria’s critical sectors, including food security, solid minerals, energy, and education, during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des L’Élysée in Paris.
At a joint press conference, President Tinubu urged French investors to seize the opportunities in Nigeria’s agricultural and financial sectors, highlighting the nation’s investment-friendly environment. “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 stated.
He underscored the role of private sector involvement in achieving food security, saying, “It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.” Tinubu also reassured foreign investors about Nigeria’s economic stability, describing it as ripe for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that directly benefits citizens.
Addressing education, Tinubu urged the French government to support training programs for Nigeria’s youthful population, emphasizing the link between education and national development. “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 said.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s untapped potential in solid minerals, calling for the “de-risking” of investment opportunities in the sector. Tinubu further encouraged investments in the blue economy, particularly fisheries, stating, “In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment.”
French President Emmanuel Macron praised Tinubu’s leadership and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen Nigeria-France relations. “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,” Macron said.
Macron also pledged to encourage more French investments, particularly in Nigeria’s solid minerals and creative industries.
Both leaders discussed global challenges, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in addressing food security, education, and terrorism. “Global humanitarian challenges can only be solved with governments working together,” Macron noted.
