President Bola Tinubu has asked Qatari captains of industry to report any Nigerian official who demands any form of bribe before allowing them to do business in the country.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, Tinubu admonished the Qatari investors not to allow “perceptions to become a hindrance to your will to invest.”
The Nigerian leader pledged to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise, assuring that “Nigeria is ready for serious business.”
He said: “Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me.
“Whatever the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced, it is in the past because there is no obstacle in the future.
“We are removing obstacles today, and we are going to continue to remove all obstacles. We have done so much within nine months. And I assure you, it is free entry and free exit.
“Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country. Bring your investments.”
The President said the war against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria had been significantly strengthened with the appointment of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser.
“We have a man who has won many global awards for anti-corruption as an anti-corruption czar.
“My responsibility is to tell you that Nigeria is open for business and to assure you that your investments are safe in our hands. We have men and women of great reputation here. And we believe we can forge a good committee that will advance our discussions to fruitful conclusions.
“A nation is an artificial entity unless there are good people to drive it. People build great nations, and we have great people. We are ready,” the president affirmed.
Pointing out that Nigeria possessed vast opportunities in various fields and telling his host, Tinubu said: “We have oil and gas; we have solid minerals. I do not see why we cannot become prolific partners in exploring iron ore, steel production, and energy across the board.
“I am here to give you assurances in all spheres: tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and in many other opportunities that abound around us. Do not be the investor who misses out on the golden opportunity we present.”
Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, said in his remarks that his country looks forward to exploring opportunities in Nigeria, owing to its population demography and market.
“We look forward to working with our Nigerian counterparts to achieve our joint objectives in these sectors.”
Accompanying the President of the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum were Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola.
Also on the delegation are the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Minister of Youth, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperipe Ekpo.
Also at the meeting were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen; and the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Mr. Dele Oye.
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