Tinubu Welcomes Qatari Investment Drive, Affirms Nigeria’s Readiness for Strategic Partnership
President Bola Tinubu has expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen its strategic partnership with Qatar, welcoming new investment initiatives from the Gulf nation, particularly in the agricultural sector.
The President gave the assurance on Friday at the State House in Abuja while receiving Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and special envoy of the Amir of Qatar.
According to Dr. Al-Khulaifi, the Amir is committed to expanding bilateral cooperation with Nigeria. He announced that a high-level Qatari business delegation would visit Nigeria in the coming weeks to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, food security, and petrochemicals.
“We are proud of the level of relations we have reached with Nigeria,” said Al-Khulaifi. “Our partnership is not just government to government, but also people to people. Some of our companies are eager to explore Nigeria for business, especially in agriculture.”
President Tinubu, who visited Qatar earlier in 2024, said the renewed interest from Qatari investors was a welcome development and emphasized his administration’s commitment to fully implement the bilateral agreements signed during his visit.
“To all the members of the delegation, I want to say a big thank you for coming to Nigeria,” the President said. “We are grateful to God for what we have experienced as partners in progress. I am also glad that the Amir of Qatar greatly remembers the issues discussed during my visit last year.”
He described Qatar as a valued ally and commended its global role in promoting peace and stability. “I am proud of your efforts to bring peace and stability to the world. Like you, we are sandwiched between the challenge of terrorism and helping our neighbours,” Tinubu said.
The President also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s investment climate, particularly in taxation.
“We are making efforts to reform our tax system. Our reforms have been hard, but we are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. You can’t find a better partner than Nigeria,” he noted. “You have done well in developing a knowledge-based economy in Qatar, but what about Nigeria? You have to do more in Nigeria to help fight poverty in the humanitarian area.”
President Tinubu directed key ministers Budget and Economic Planning Minister Senator Atiku Bagudu, Information Minister Mohammed Idris, and Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar to collaborate on ensuring timely execution of Nigeria-Qatar agreements.
“We are doing well as much as we can as the leader in Africa,” he said. “We want to continue to promote good relations with you. There can be no development without peace.”
Al-Khulaifi reaffirmed Qatar’s intent to enhance strategic relations with Nigeria, stating, “The message I have from His Highness, the Amir of Qatar, is that he wants Nigeria to be a strategic partner in Africa.”