President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that Nigeria is ready to operate a free market economy with France in what he called an “easy in, easy out” agreement proposed for French investors.
President Tinubu stated this while addressing the press with French President, Emmanuel Macron on Thursday during his state visit to France.
Need for French Investment in Nigeria’s Economy
Speaking on the need for France to come and invest in the Nigerian economy, President Tinubu stated both countries cannot but invest in one another’s economy.
Highlighting some sectors in need of French investments, President Tinubu spoke about food security, the fight against terrorism as well as the Agricultural sector.
Call For Food Security Investment
President Tinubu noted that food shortage is a major problem for Nigeria presently hence the urgent need for foreign investment in the sector.
“In the area of food security, it is known that an hungry population is an unsettled population, hence we owe it as a responsibility to put together to put together a food security program for private sector investors to come in and invest.
“To de-risk the fears that they may have, we have been working on stabilizing the security system in Nigeria and we are getting closer and we are doing better now in the area of security.
“I can assure all investors here that Nigeria is open for business investments.”
He also called on French experts to come help educate and train the country’s teeming youthful population who are ready for training opportunities.
Economic Diversification Efforts
The president noted Nigeria is currently in the process of diversifying its economy from fossil fuels and as such called for collaborations by the French government to help achieve its goals especially in the Agricultural sector.
“The Agricultural sector has huge potential, there is a need to promote investment in the sector.
“In Lagos, we are promoting a Marine and Blue economy, fishery is an important part of our economy and I would like us to collaborate more on that.
Fight Against Terrorism
Calling for French efforts in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, President Tinubu said “No matter how much you invest in other African countries, you should take Nigeria for a serious country and a partner in your project to achieve results”.
Addressing insecurity in Nigeria he says would help France tackle insecurity in other African countries as Nigeria is ready to partner with France so as to ensure a robust security operation to stop migration.
President Tinubu also thanked President Emmanuel Macron for the promises he made with regards to defence partnership and stated he looked forward to the fulfilment of such promises.
Conclusively, president Tinubu assured France that Nigeria is open for business and ready to operate a free market economy with France on an ‘easy in, easy out’ basis for French investors.