President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said Nigeria is committed to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinubu said this at a joint press conference after a high-profile meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the prestigious Palais des L\u2019\u00c9lys\u00e9e, France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted the vast yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria\u2019s agricultural sector and beckoned international investors to capitalise on the nation\u2019s welcoming investment climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The President\u2019s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, captured key talking points from the conference in a statement titled \u2018Paris: President Tinubu urges more investments in food security, solid minerals, energy and education.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cThe French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in each another\u2019s country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinubu emphasised Nigeria\u2019s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNigeria\u2019s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria\u2019s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,\u201d the President stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinubu said Nigeria\u2019s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment that would directly impact the livelihood of the citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The President implored the French government to extend to Nigeria training that would develop the youthful population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFurthermore, we should de-risk the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potential and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinubu also noted that Nigeria, like most African nations, had been preoccupied with tackling issues of food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st Century no child should go to bed hungry,\u201d he told the French President, and his delegation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf 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,\u201d President Tinubu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On security, the President noted that there was a need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNigeria 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,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Tinubu said the blue economy in Nigeria also provides a huge opportunity for investment, with unexplored potential in fishery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in, and easy out,\u201d the President noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Macron acknowledged President Tinubu\u2019s state visit as a milestone heralding deeper bilateral relationships, particularly emphasising collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The French President noted that the global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe appreciate your visionary leadership and energy in transforming the economy of your country. We will work together for collective, global success,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Macron had earlier assured that he would encourage more investments in the solid minerals sector, with the signing of an agreement, during a political meeting where the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, made a presentation on the potentials<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, were welcomed with full honours at Hotel Les Invalides and Palais De l\u2019\u00c9lys\u00e9e by President Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n