Category: Bolaji Ogundele

It was indeed a very hectic week for President Bola Tinubu (that was before he decided to take some time off to make a private visit to France on Wednesday). Before jetting out, he had engaged in very tasking state matters, results of which are to start manifesting in a matter of days. Of all the events he officiated, the very expository briefing on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund’s (NELFUND) administration trumped all. The reason does not seem to need being spelt out; it affects the most number and the most vibrant section of the citizenry, the youths.

The NELFUND is another age-long vision of the Jagaban, which he already gave a hint of even before winning the election in February 2023. Speaking at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, in London in December 2022, the then presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had unveiled a plan to totally overhaul the education sector, introducing some strategies he believed would save the failing system.

One of the modalities planned to be unleashed was a loan scheme for students at the tertiary level. Explaining how he hoped to save the education system in Nigeria, at the Chatham House, Jagaban said “the education system is to change. We would overhaul it and tinker with some areas with the philosophy that no one would be left behind. There will be student loans for all. We are going to reform the Almajiri system. We are equally going to build more schools, recruit more teachers and train them”.

At that time, almost everyone following his campaign knew a tsunami was about to hit the education sector, at least in some basic areas that will significantly change how education is run in the country, eliminating some of the ways and practices that have made it seem like acquiring education in Nigeria was jinxed. What many, except those who could boast of being part of Asiwaju’s think-tank group, did not know was the ideology driving his vision.

The President gave a clearer direction on his idea of his student loan scheme and the spirit driving it during the last week. That briefing, which had key executive actors in the Federal Ministry of Education, particularly the NELFUND and one of the funders, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in attendance, made us know now that it is all about providing an opportunity vehicle for all citizens, irrespective of social, economic, ethnic or religious backgrounds, at least he said that much while meeting with the stakeholders who briefed him during the week.

“No matter how economically challenged you are, accredited and qualified students will and must have access to this loan to advance their education in higher institutions. There is no compromise in our commitment to the disadvantaged citizens of this nation”, he explained.

He even went on to instruct the expansion of the programme to go beyond just the academics, an indication that he targets every Nigerian for a successful life, to the extent that everyone will be equipped with the wherewithal to pursue life, be useful to himself and society at large.

“This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas. This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation. In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education”, he said.

One more thing, this is a system intended to be sustained through all times, at least for as long as there is Nigeria. No terminal date, according to the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, Dr Akintunde Sawyerr. Besides being a perpetual programme, it will be secured against the usual human interference because it will be strictly automated and payments will be made directly to institutions training applicants.

Then, on same Monday, President Tinubu received an august visit from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the first time since he became President. You will recall he met with two Islamic organizations the week before last week; a delegation of Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, a highly respected Islamic movement, visited on Tuesday, while the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) visited on Thursday. But then he has consistently said he is for equality, no side should feel neglected or not welcomed, hence the visit by the very influential Christian body last week, also lending voice to the call for calm among citizens, in the face of the prevail economic struggles.

That visit was another opportunity for Jagaban to touch on issues that affect us all. Since we are still in that process of reengineering the system, those best suited to help are the clergy; everybody comes to them for one reason or the other. Even if people do not come for individual calls, people go to worship places, at least once in a week and the sermon, either Christian or Islamic, will definitely be on the programme. So he used the opportunity to enlist the ‘Men of God’ in the very rigorous task of getting the right message out to the people, to aid the work of building patriotism and public peace.

“We have no other country but Nigeria. If you do not preach the sermon of understanding, tolerance, perseverance, and hope for Nigerians, you are doing damage to the country, and nobody will help us repair it. Let us dialogue because public condemnation of a nation is not what makes any citizen a good one. We must admonish Nigerians to have a change of mindset and not to make money our god or master. I believe we will get to the Promised Land, and Nigeria will flourish.

“We are here to listen, and if you observe any inadequacies in my government, let us know. I am here today because of your prayers and the will of God Almighty. What I have challenged myself to do each day is to be fair to all Nigerians. I have had a number of criticisms, including the rationale behind the size of my cabinet. If you want efficient, mobile, and resourceful people, we have to give people a load they can carry. If you combine too many ministries because you want to save money, you will have a future of non-performance and no results. Nigeria needs to turn the corner to grow, and we must give people challenges they can manage, and that is what we are doing”, he told his guests.

Read Also: Uzodinma’s swearing-in and Jagaban’s coded message to IPOB/ESN

On Tuesday, he continued with the busy schedule, probably busier than what it was on Monday. He received the United States of America’s (USA) Secretary of State, Mr Anthony Blinken, at the State House in Abuja, discussing all sorts of issues pertaining to ours and their national interests. It however became interesting, not just to the President or his administration, but to all Nigerians interested in seeing the current foreign exchange blues, which are actually affecting every Nigerian, go away, as it affects the health of our economy generally.

Among the things highlighted by Blinken was the readiness of American investors to put more into the Nigerian economy, especially in the technology sector. With that “American entrepreneurs, American companies are eager to partner with and invest in Nigeria’s economy, particularly in the tech sector”, Jagaban seemed to have gotten what he was looking for from the visit of the American foreign policy custodian, since one of his administration’s primary goals in governance is bringing in as much foreign direct investments and foreign exchange as possible.

Besides extracting the assurance of American investments, he also received one of the most valued recommendations globally; Blinken delivered the American government’s statement of guarantee and branding when he lauded some of the Tinubu administration’s novel policy redirections and initiatives, saying “we welcome President’s bold reforms to unify the currency and end fuel subsidy. Nigeria offers real opportunities for investors”.

Still on Tuesday, President Tinubu met with South-south region’s traditional rulers, led by the Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major-General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), at the Villa. Among other things, he reassured the oil-rich region, through its traditional rulers, of his administration’s commitment to the development of the region, as well as give due attention to the environmental issues facing it, saying he will take their concerns one-by-one

He also received a delegation from the Chevron Corporation, led by President of Chevron International Exploration and Production, Clay Neff, on Tuesday. He used the opportunity to assure all foreign investors, who have plans or existing stakes in the Nigerian oil and gas sector that he is committed to making sure that their investments are protected and productive, citing his administration’s step-ins from time to time, and the structure of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to achieve stability and guaranteed gains. Of course, he managed to secure news about new investments by the company.

Then on Wednesday, just before he jetted out of the country to France for a private visit, he met with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard Foundation, Ms. Reeta Roy, telling her of the gains her Foundation could make from Nigeria, especially with the nation’s young population. Since Ms Roy’s business resonates better with the younger generation, he marketed the extensive Nigerian youth demography to her. It is a global fact that Nigerian youths are innovative, hard working and adventurous, so his task was repeating this fact to her and he sure seized the moment.

Meanwhile, in distant shores, Joagaban’s voice was still heard during the week. We are not talking about the audience with the American Secretary of State, which was dealt with on Tuesday back at home, but on Sunday 21, he had a message for the world at the Third South Summit of the Group of 77 and China, which opened same day in Kampala, Uganda. The President was represented by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and he called for a review of the global taxation system, which has been a weight on the economies of developing nations.

Though Jagaban is offshore for the time being, some of us believe there is actually no vacuum because his deputy is also a very hands-on administrator, it has seemed like the President is still much at the Villa. That said, let me still tell you to look forward to what this week will bring Nigeria, with the Vice President Kashim Shettima holding the fort in the next few days.

The last week, being the first in the year 2024 (save for Sunday, which was the last day of the year 2023), rather a week of rest for President Bola Tinubu, largely though. It was the week he defied all odds to keep a tradition alive, on a holiday. However, the week slipped into a quiet mode, at least for about two days, before activities resumed again on Thursday.

However, as peaceful and silent as the week went, it was during it that Mr President performed two of the activities that are usually reserved for terms; as in no President reads a New Year address twice in a year, just as signing and initiating annual budget is done just once in a year. Any other budget signed can only be supplementary, annual budget is once in a year. These two activities were both done this last week and done same day.

Although he read the New Year address while still in Lagos, President Tinubu had to return to Abuja, same Monday, the New Year Day, to assent to the N28.78 trillion 2024 Budget. Being a new year and considering all that Nigerians have seen in the last few years, particularly in the months since fuel subsidy removal and the process of abolishing dual foreign exchange windows became issues that the ordinary Nigerian has to know about because of the squeezing effects they have had on the economy, the President ensured to use his message to reassure citizens that their nation and economy are works in progress, soon to yield positive dividends.

In the message, Jagaban touched on a lot of issues, positives that are soon to become realities for citizens. For each segment of society and the various sectors touching lives, the President had as message of hope; from the investments and efforts to ramp up the growth and healing of the power sector, which is expected to aid industrialisation, to ensuring a new living wage for workers, to projects ongoing in the agriculture sector, the efforts at stabilizing the industrial sector in order to increase job creation and many other steps being taken to give hope to Nigerians.

“I am well aware that for some time now the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation which is now above 28% and the unacceptable high under-employment rate. From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main-streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families. I am not oblivious to the expressed and sometimes unexpressed frustrations of my fellow citizens. I know for a fact that some of our compatriots are even asking if this is how our administration wants to renew their hope.

“Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and every one of us will commit to be better citizens”, he assured in his message.

After giving so much hope to Nigerians on New Year Day, the President must have thought sitting back in Lagos would not be the road to actualizing the components and terms of his programme of hope. The next moment, we were informed that Baba was on his way to Abuja, but with no official information as to why he was returning so suddenly, on a day he and everyone around him ought to be celebrating the New Year at home.

He arrived at the Presidential Villa, in the front of his office at exactly 2pm, received by senior government officials from the executive and legislative arms. He had returned and gathered all those that might have one thing or the other to do with what he was about doing. Merely seeing those gathered at the Villa, it became obvious why he returned on a holiday.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje; Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, Olamilekan Adeola; Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi, were all with the President when he signed the budget.

A summary of the 2024 Budget, as approved by the National Assembly, was structured this way: Capital Expenditure at N9.9 trillion; Recurrent Expenditure at N8.7 trillion; Debt Service at N8.2 trillion; Statutory Transfers at N1.7 trillion; Oil price benchmark at $77.96/barrel; Oil production rate at 1.78 million barrels per day; Exchange rate at N800 to a US dollar; Forecast GDP growth at 3.88 %.

From the airport, straight to his desk, the President performed one of the most significant duties of his administration, signing of his first annual budget. It became even more significant for him to have done so on a day he was meant to be enjoying holiday, the first day of the year. While signing the document, he gave an indication of what he intends to do with what he called Renewed Hope Budget. It was in his intent to see that the budget is implemented because that is when it will have a meaning in the life of the country and its people.

Read Also: Jagaban says ‘educated population’is Nigeria’s newest selling point

“I cannot conclude my remark without saying that a budget is only as good as its implementation. We will implement this. I want to assure Nigerians that all the MDAs and our teams have been warned, that’s why we even take our time to separate Economic Planning from Finance. MDAs must have regular reports of the budgetary performance in the area that we put in place to help ordinary Nigerians. The goal is to promote efficiency, dedication, and accountability. If you cannot do that, you may have to leave us to do the job on your behalf.

“All MDA’s have been directed to take responsibility and provide monthly Budget Performance Reports to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which in turn shall ensure the veracity of such. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy shall hold regular reviews with the Economic Management Team and, in addition, I shall Chair periodic Economic Coordination Council meetings”, he said.

Just a day before the President signed the budget, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas, had given an insight into what the character of the budget would be. Abbas who was at the President’s Lagos home to pay homage, said the 2024 Appropriation Act would define Tinubu administration as people-centric. Remember that Jagaban himself has left no one in doubt about his passion for the ordinary people. I know you will remember the refrain; “let the poor breathe”, which has become so popular, it became one of the most favourite quotes of the President that Nigerians always reference.

“We expect the budget to deliver because there’s no sector that we did not  cross-check, scrutinize and make enquiries as to what is required to make the desired impact to the economy and to the people. I assure you that by the time the 2024 appropriation is signed into law, and we start implementing it, Nigerians will see the difference. This is a budget that is going to define the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the people of this country”, he Abbas had said.

However, there are Nigerians who have expressed some reservations on the new budget, especially because it did not take long after its passage that it got the President’s signature. They were of the opinion that the executive did not do due diligence on what the National Assembly returned to them. But the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, deflated that, saying the process was seamless this time around because all those involved in the process, from the President down the line, were experienced in the process.

“There’s nothing like in a hurry. This shows that people are on their toes. Mr. President had experience as a member of the National Assembly, he had the experience as a state governor and then luckily for us as a country, now he’s sitting atop the affairs as the President. Equally, many members of his team; the Vice President, Chief of Staff, SGF, many ministers, the First Lady of the Federation, so there has been a buildup of relationship between the National Assembly… as it ought to be.

 “The oversight is respected, we welcome interrogation, he said so publicly. So even before the budget process started full-stream, there was good understanding about what the challenges are, what the priorities are, and therefore it’s easy to come to conclusion as to what we should do, and that’s what we have done”, Bagudu explained.

Like reflected earlier, the activities during the week were scanty, after the New Year message and the signing of the budget, but those that occurred, were still very impactful. For instance, Thursday was dedicated to visitors, state governors in particular, and all of them seemed directed at a particular agenda; agriculture, dry season farming and the total subject of food sufficiency and security.

The governors of Gombe, Jigawa and Niger states; Inuwa Yahaya, Umar Namadi and Umar Bago, all called at the Villa to meet with the President individually and when they came out, each at his time, the story was the same; federal government’s dry season farming and the President’s 500,000 hectares of farmland target.

On Friday, besides going out of the Villa to attend the Juma’a Service, he met at the Villa with some security chiefs, including the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during a rank decoration ceremony for the PAF Commander, Air Commodore Olayinka Olusola Oyesola, with his new rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force; Commander, BoG, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, who is promoted from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier-General; and the Police CPSO, Usman Musa Shugaba, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of Police after being promoted from his prior rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.

We enter the year’s second week today and most activities should start picking up from now on. We will, as usual, have to wait to the it all unfold in the course of the week. Stay with me.

It was supposed to be a holiday week, especially as he has already moved office to his home in Lagos, to enjoy the yuletide with family and friends, but then was it really a holiday, in the real sense of it, at least we all know what a holiday should entail. Well, for the Number One Citizen, there is hardly the time for the typical features of a holiday, even when on annual leave, (if that is what it is called for them), there will always be tasks only them can perform. This last week was the Christmas week, even that being so, the President still had his plate filled.

Even if he had wanted to have it quiet, some concerning developments and fallouts will definitely make it impossible for the President to just stay out of the news and be just another quiet, but privileged citizen. You will recall that President Bola Tinubu had set out to ensure this year’s Christmas and New Year’s festive season stews for even the vulnerable section of society, at least minimally, hence the transportation relief package for those moving from one part of the country to others, as well as other ongoing interventions.

But then the enemies of a peaceful and secure Nigeria are constantly devising ways and means to hurt and this time around they waited till the eve of the yuletide before striking. In the midst of the high anticipation for the festivities, there arose cries and panic on the Plateau, where murderous elements had unleashed mayhem on unsuspecting villagers, who definitely must have been waiting for the Christmas to come for them to merry.

Reports in the media have put the death toll from several villages across three council areas; Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and parts of Mangu, to between 155 and 160 lives. Many were also left critically injured and property running into millions destroyed. Although not much has been said about why this attack and who might have orchestrated it, a close friend from the axis said the Christmas eve’s killing came in same pattern of previous attacks, which usually has herders come midnight to wipe communities out so they can take the land.

Whatever it was, the sad news from the Plateau has, no doubt, soured up the festive feelings for a considerable section of the nation, much more for the man who leads us all, the President. The rage he felt over the needless killings became glaring to be missed when he spoke sternly about the incident at two different occasions within a day. First, in the morning of Tuesday, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, it was an instruction to security and law enforcement agents to pursue, apprehend and arrest the killers.

“President Bola Tinubu strongly condemns the heinous and brutal attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, which resulted in the tragic loss of many lives. President Tinubu directs security agencies to immediately move in, scour every stretch of the zone, and apprehend the culprits. The President also directs immediate mobilization of relief resources for surviving victims of the primitive and cruel attacks as well as medical treatment for the wounded. While condoling with the government and the people of Plateau State, President Tinubu assures Nigerians that these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice”, Ngelale’s statement said.

Then later same day, during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), who visited him at home, President Tinubu issued another directive to security and law enforcement agencies; he asked for an immediate halt of the killing. There was a piece of information that killers, who already wrecked havoc in the three council areas, had sent out another notice to other communities of plans to attack again, hence the need to instruct a cessation of this terrorism of defenceless Nigerians by marauders.

This development in Plateau State deeply unsettled the President, especially because of the time it was carried out, the mindlessness with which it was done and the fact that his administration had vowed to better the security situation in every part of the country, especially where there have always been histories of clashes and killings like the one recently witnessed. It was the more painful to him when the efforts so far made on securing every part of the country, including financial and other deployments to the security sector, are considered. He had planned it to be a merry season for everyone, but then the evil elements among us also had their plans, all neatly laid out and brutally executed.

Notwithstanding the multiplication of pains, hurt and loss, all orchestrated by the wicked amongst us, other events and activities have kept it a busy holiday season for the Jagaban. For instance, on Sunday, the President started the week with a Christmas message to Nigerians, in which he assured that his administration will continue to implement palliative measures for those needing it, as part of efforts to assuage the current economic hardship in the country, even as he continues to address recovery.

He acknowledged the fact that the process of reforms that are required to put the country back on the path of prosperity and peace have been very tasking and have imposed sacrifice on citizens, but appealed to all to hold fast to the trust that he will remain committed to delivering on his promises, running the administration with vision, dedication and empathy, to eventually bring stability and prosperity.

Later that day, he hosted guests at the house and coincidentally one of those guests was the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who, apparently, is an old associate. Kongi, who said he already dropped his 7-point agenda with the President, things he believes he needs to do on the way to success, also revealed he advised him against running for the office. Thanks to the world renowned writer, we now know, even better, that our President is a vision-driven man.

According to Professor Soyinka, his disposition was that older politicians, including Jagaban, should not vie for the office, they should leave it for younger politicians. However, because Asiwaju had a vision to establish a new culture of leadership and public administration, he had to, respectfully, ignore the advice by his senior friend and stick to his plan. This earned him an appellation the public never knew: Olorikunkun (stubborn person).

Read Also: Peter Obi pledges N5millions to support Plateau attack victims

“My first visit, actually it was an embarrassing visit because when I visited him the last time, it was to try and persuade him not to run for office. I think I’ve written about that. I told Atiku and himself that they should please leave the ground for young people. That was the last time we met, about five years ago. I call him, secretly, olorikunkun, a stubborn man, so he ignored my advice completely”, he said.

By the way, have you observed that President Tinubu can be a very appreciative person? I believe one of his finer traits that is becoming very prominent is his respect for people and relationships and talking of people, he does not overlook sacrifices and efforts made by others, especially when such sacrifices and efforts come at some considerable level of cost. Mentioning this becomes very important at this point because of two occasions during the week when he showed this rare part.

First, on Tuesday, during the meeting he held with the NGF, among every other thing, Jagaban had to single the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, out for commendation, praising him in some of the most beautiful adjectives. Why? He (Jagaban) intervened in the Rivers political crisis and came up with an 8-point resolution, which many stakeholders in Rivers and Niger Delta have criticized, but the governor has said he will abide and it was obvious he has decided not to listen to other voices because of his respect for the President and Baba does not take things like this lightly.

“I thank you for your statesmanship. I listened to your broadcast and your emphasis on peace. It is only with peace that effective governance can thrive, and governance has commenced in earnest under my watch”, he said to Fubara.

A similar case was aimed at one of his most trusted allies, Honourable James Faleke, whose hard work during the campaigns he spoke about. Speaking at a forum of Lagos State stakeholders at the State House in Marina, on Wednesday, he marked out the House of Representatives member for recognition and honour.

“Let me single out again for thanks to you Lagosians, one Honourable member of the National Assembly, Honourable Faleke. Sometimes when I look at him, he was the headmaster, commander, arranger…of our campaign and he worked tirelessly, sometimes when I looked at him at night, I pray specially that God should please sustain him. He’s a very reliable ally, very reliable individual, Lagos must continue to reward him”, he said.

The dose of bitter pills served in Plateau State by murderous elements was compounded by Nature on Wednesday when two prominent Nigerians were announced dead. It was first the demise of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who had been in and out of convalescence for some time. While that was yet to be digested, the death of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, who had also been sick for a while, was reported.

Jagaban, with his ever-lengthening tentacles, had one sort of relationship or the other with both men, especially the late Akeredolu, with whom he shared a long history in the democratic struggle. He even had to personally pen a very revealing tribute, in which the world got to know how far he and the Arakunrin had come. This revealed yet another emotional side of him. 

Thursday was yet another busy day. Besides receiving Nigerian female football international and a member of the Super Falcons and the reigning African Women Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, along with his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Baba also met with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.

Then in the evening, he met with the new Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He encouraged him to close ranks and mobilize stakeholders to move the state forward. Friday saw him joining other Muslim faithful at the Lagos Central Mosque on Nnamdi Azikiwe Street for the Juma’a prayers. He later received the governors of Oyo and Ogun states at home.

This new week opens into the New Year 2024, so let me be one of the first to welcome you into the year. Happy New.     

It was another very hectic week for President Bola Tinubu, for more than one reason. One, he still had to cross oceans into Europe and two, he was engaged, most part of the week, seriously marketing the country he leads to international investors.

He was in Germany to participate in the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference, which was hosted by the German Chancellor, Mr Olaf Scholz, and as usual, Asiwaju killed it. The President made as much use of the time abroad to fish for and make bountiful catches from the German business world.

Remember the week before last week was similar to what the world saw last week; during the week before, he was in Saudi Arabia, consorting with God and some very key men, key to the his agenda of reviving Nigeria’s economy. This week, it was still about ‘hawking’ the image of the Fatherland, this time around, far from the East or the Middle East, right at the heart of the West, heart of Europe, the country that represents the economic strength of Europe, just as Nigeria represents Africa’s. 

However, there was something different about this effort at rebranding and showcasing the country. In previous outings, President Tinubu has always made the selling-point about the country’s natural resources and huge market, which always translates, simplistically, to the huge population, being the biggest black nation in the world. It has been documented that one out of every four Africans is a Nigeria and one out of every five persons of African origin is still a Nigerian.

This time around, he literarily changed the narrative about what makes Nigeria so important as foreign investment destination. Speaking as a panel discussant at the G20 CwA Conference on the topic “Fostering local value chains and investments in Africa – The role of the German private sector”, the President, while emphasizing the other unique investor-friendly attributes of the Nigerian market, pointed out the almost-matchless Nigerian knowledge market, brimming with talents in virtually every of human endeavour, as the most valuable factor that should endear the country to investors.

Of course, we are doing every other thing to make both the local Nigerian businesses and foreigners’ investments survive and thrive, but the most valued of everything in the ease-of-doing-business and every other process is the well-educated population, which is one of the ingredients for building a modern economy.

He pulled that card out because all along, the focus has always been on the natural resources, particularly oil and gas, then the sheer largeness of our population, but no one has placed that on the table as one of Nigeria’s bargaining powers, even when almost everybody knows that the Nigerian Diaspora community, especially in the United States. A report once said 60% of Nigerian immigrants in the US, between ages 25 years and above, hold a bachelor’s degree, at least. In the United Kingdom, it is at least 66% of Nigerian immigrants, holding a qualification of any kind. Even at home, the literacy rate has not done badly; as at 2021, the literacy rate stood at 77.6%, according to GlobalData.

So while in Berlin, our President showed the world something about us, an edge, which has been taken for granted for too long. He has been telling them, in virtually all the places he has taken the investment shopping to, that Nigeria is ready for business, but this time around, he showed them something they have not given thoughts to; that just like China and India did, rising from the backwaters to contend with the most stable economies, Nigeria has come with the same edge, to take its pride of place among the visible economies of the world

Read Also: Jagaban’s paths to ‘not spending the people’

“We are dogged in our pursuit of natural gas development today, in tandem with hydrogen production for tomorrow. The world knows Nigeria as a leader in the energy sector. Our vast gas deposits and business-friendly environment make us an attractive investment destination. But we are going a step further now. We are creating fiscal responsibility and tax reforms as we reform our financial institutions to expeditiously accommodate foreign investments.

‘”We are eager and ready to partner with you. We have the youngest, largest, and most vibrant youth population in Africa. Equally, we have every ingredient required in the making of a modern economy: a well-educated population, a massive market, and the political will to bring it all together under my leadership.

“Africa has moved beyond the false past notions of business disincentivization and poor adherence to the rule of law. We now fully recognize the nexus between the inflow of investor money and the sanctity of contracts. We want to partner on the basis of who we are and what we do, rather than on the basis of long-held misconception”, he announced to the world.

You must have noticed one more ingredient he threw on the table; the political will to make it all work for the good of Nigerians and the rest of the world. He highlighted the readiness of his administration to go through with the whole economic reparation process, without allowing any distraction. It is the newest of the three ingredients, which should make the system work.

Much later that day, he met with the Chancellor Scholz to discuss issues bordering of cooperation in various areas of development, including infrastructure, energy and power production, transmission and distribution. Specifically, the area of infrastructure that fascinated the President was transportation-focused and categorically how the sort of railway advancement that Siemens is constructing in Egypt could be infused into the Nigerian railway system.

He drew the attention of Scholz to the need for his business community to focus their attention on value-additive processing in Nigerian solid minerals, agricultural goods, automobile production, and other job-creating sub-sectors of the economy, saying “everything the world requires in terms of business environment reforms are underway in Nigeria. Perhaps our foreign investors are still a bit paranoid that those old Nigerian issues are intractable. But my track record speaks for itself. I have transformed an entity before now. I am here to do it again, and I will”.

The German Chancellor nodded in agreement and said, “there is nothing too unique on the growth of China. It came down to a lot of investment from overseas that leveraged on cheap and skilled labour with adequate internal infrastructure and shipping infrastructure for imports and exports to flow easily. These things are possible in Nigeria. You even have abundant natural resources. Step by step, it is achievable, Mr. President”.

Then on Tuesday, besides witnessing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), as well as addressed the 10th German-Nigerian Business Forum. For the agreements signed between private countries from both countries. The first one was on the supply of gas from Nigeria to Germany, while the second one was for $500 million worth of renewable energy projects in Nigeria.

While speaking to the bi-national forum, Jagaban gave the German side the assurance that investing in Nigeria now will prove to be one of the wisest investment decisions any investor from any part of the work will be making in contemporary times. His reason was simple: he has taken some of those difficult steps required to birth economic recovery and then growth. Speaking of the lecherous petrol subsidy and the arbitrage regime in the FX market, then talk of the ongoing policy reforms, are have been focused on effecting the right environment for investments, either local or foreign.

Then he ended his pitch with “I appeal to you to forget the past and focus on building a relationship that removes obstacles, fostering progress and prosperity in Nigerian-German relations. You can rely on us; we can rely on you; both of us can chorus Hallelujah at the same time”.

He finally returned to Nigeria on Wednesday evening and since he returned, he has been engaged with providing solutions. For instance, on Thursday, besides signing the Defense Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act, 2023, he appointed Desmond Akawor a Federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). Later in the evening, he hosted the Special Envoy of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, also happens to be the country’s Minister of State for International Cooperation. The message was that the Emiratis want the ties with Nigeria strengthened.

Then on Friday, he made three sets of appointments; first it was the appointment of eight new permanent secretaries, the ten members into the Board of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), assigning Shamsudeen Usman as Board Chairman and Armstrong Ume Takang as Managing Director. He later announced two more for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Board as representatives of the organized private sector.

He also held two meetings, one being the audience he granted the Zimbabwean Islamic cleric, Mufti Menk. Then later and till very late in the night, he hosted political stakeholders of Ondo State, over the unending faceoff between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. It is believed that this meeting will determine a lot in the life of that state in coming weeks.

It’s a new week and will just need to wait it out to see what the Jagaban will come up with, you can also take is as a guarantee that they will be focused on making life more livable for Nigerians.