Tinubu’s East Africa Outreach Targets Jobs, Trade Expansion — Minister

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, backed President Bola Tinubu’s recent diplomatic tour of East Africa, clarifying that the administration’s core mission remains drawing in investments, driving trade, and creating local jobs.

Oduwole, revealed this in an interview on Channels TV, monitored by Persecondnews on Thursday evening.

She noted that the President’s participation at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, alongside engagements in Kenya and Rwanda, reflected Nigeria’s role on the continent.

“This particular tour that Mr. President has gone on in Kenya and Rwanda signifies the strategic leadership position that Nigeria has on the continent,” she said.

According to the minister, discussions at the summit focused on green industrialization, regional trade expansion and attracting investments aimed at strengthening Africa’s economic future.
According to Oduwole, prominent Nigerian business leaders including Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and Tony Elumelu participated in the talks, which were designed to expand the continental footprint of Nigerian enterprises.

She also revealed a new hospitality agreement that will bring 10 new hotels to Nigeria.

Construction is already underway on the first property in Port Harcourt, a move expected to generate substantial employment across the hospitality value chain.

“You don’t even need a degree to work in hospitality, and yet you get skills that are transferable across several sectors,” she said.

She also pointed to the expansion of Nigerian financial institutions into East Africa, noting that our Banking industry had continued growing its operations across the continent through acquisitions and partnerships.

Responding to concerns over inflation and rising living costs, the minister admitted Nigerians were facing economic hardship but insisted the administration’s reforms were laying the foundation for long term growth.

“There’s no shortcut. The Tinubu administration in the last three years has taken the difficult reforms, and we are at an inflection point,” she stressed.

Oduwole rejected suggestions that countries such as Kenya and Rwanda were ahead of Nigeria in digital innovation and trade competitiveness, insisting Nigeria remained Africa’s digital trade champion.

“No way will we say that Kenya and Rwanda are far ahead of us. It’s just impossible to say that, Nigeria’s size, market strength and growing digital ecosystem make such comparisons inaccurate,” she emphasized.

The Minister maintained that ongoing investments, trade partnerships and export expansion efforts under the administration were designed to strengthen non oil exports, create jobs and improve Nigeria’s economic position across the continent.