By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron.

At a joint news conference in Paris, France, Tinubu highlighted the vast, yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector and urged international investors to capitalise on the nation’s welcoming investment climate.

“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,” he said.

Tinubu emphasised Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement.

“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security.

“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country. 

“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,” the President stated.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment that would impact the livelihood of the citizens.

“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated, and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” he said.

The President implored the French government to extend to Nigeria trainings that would develop the youthful population.

“Furthermore, we should de-risk  the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potentials and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship,” the President said.

He noted that Nigeria, like most African nations, had been preoccupied with tackling issues of food security.

“A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st Century no child should go to bed hungry.

“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,” said Tinubu.

On security, he noted that there was need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism. 

“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration,” he noted.

The President said the blue economy in Nigeria also provided a huge opportunity for investment, with unexplored potential in fishery.

“We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in, and easy out,” the President noted.

Macron acknowledged Tinubu’s state visit as a milestone heralding deeper bilateral relationships, particularly emphasising collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.

The French President noted that the global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together. 

“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.

“I will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.

“We appreciate your visionary leadership and energy in transforming the economy of your country. We will work together for collective, global success,” he said. 

Macron had earlier assured that he would encourage more investments in the solid minerals sector, with the signing of an agreement, during a meeting where Mr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, made a presentation.

Earlier, President Tinubu and his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, were welcomed with full honours at Hotel Les Invalides and Palais De l’Élysée by President Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu