President Bola Tinubu has told prospective investors that Nigeria has a unique mix of opportunities they would not find elsewhere.
He also urged them not to be dissuaded by the negative narratives propagated in some quarters.
“Nigeria is an opportunity that is impossible to replicate or find elsewhere in any part of the world,” Tinubu said at the Nigeria-U.S. Executive Business Roundtable just after he rang the closing bell at the NASDAQ Headquarters in New York City.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement on Thursday titled ‘President Tinubu becomes first-ever African leader to ring the closing bell at NASDAQ; woos large-scale investment at the Nigeria-U.S. executive business roundtable.’
Tinubu assured prospective investors that while he recognises the cowardly nature of investment capital, he intentionally brought successful Nigerian industrialists and public officials to share their experiences and operational plans.
“We have brilliant young people who both innovate and consume on a large scale. Our entrepreneurial spirit is a major part of what makes our market totally unique, aside from demography.
“Nigerians build businesses and Nigerian businesses partner with other businesses to conduct larger business. There is enough value to spread around. Be careful of what you hear about Nigeria.
“You may be dissuaded from a major opportunity others will take up. We are here for you. We will give you all the support you need to succeed and succeed abundantly,” the President assured the roundtable as he pointed out cabinet officials.
On behalf of the U.S. Government, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, told U.S. business leaders that he was recently on an official visit to Lagos, Nigeria, where he saw some reforms implemented by the President when he governed the state.
Adeyemo said, “People have attested to the fact that the reforms you have put in place as President are quickly enhancing confidence.
“American business is paying attention to that and from what we have seen for ourselves, Nigeria is proving to be a new frontier for investment.
“We will encourage our companies from our end as those reforms continue to deepen.”
The American Business Council President, Mr. Sops Ideriah, said the extensive turnout at the roundtable by American business chief executives showed the rising response to the actions and words of President Bola Tinubu’s administration concerning ease of business, investment promotion, and his willingness to personally intervene where required to ease the historical concerns of American business people about doing business in Nigeria.
“We are very positive about the potential of Nigeria and we are just reinforcing to our colleagues the message about the economic opportunities that exist there,” Ideriah said.
