Wale Tinubu, Dangote, Edun, others attend Nigeria-Saudi Business Forum

The Group Chief Executive, Oando Group, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, was among top dignitaries who attended the  first Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Forum which was part of  President Bola Tinubu’s   effort to boost and strengthen economic and business ties between the two countries. Other top Nigerian business magnates, ministers and many government functionaries such as the President of Dangote Group; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Mele Kyari, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria; Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Trade and Investment, (Dr) Doris Uzoka-Anita, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Dr. Betta Edu Chairman THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News Channel, Nduka Obaigbena, among others, were also at the event

Speaking during the forum President  Tinubu  assured potential investors that their investments are safe in Nigeria.

President Tinubu said Nigeria is ready for business while assuring investors of some of the world’s highest returns on investment.

The President said Nigeria is desirous of enhancing collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on combating terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other violent extremist groups which have been terrorizing the Lake Chad and Sahel regions.

“Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have always enjoyed a special relationship at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. Within the past six decades, our bilateral cooperation, which was initially hajj-centric, has witnessed diversification to cover a number of areas of common interest. It is delightful to note the presence in this great Kingdom of a large number of our compatriots and professionals, including highly-skilled medical practitioners and professional football players.

“As members of several international organizations including the UN, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the International Energy Forum, the G77, the Islamic Development Bank, the Digital Cooperation Organization among others, our two nations have effectively used these and other platforms to enhance close interaction and coordination. I am confident that our joint positive disposition within these platforms will continue to be demonstrated as we seek to advance our mutual interests.

“Nigeria, like the Kingdom, is diversifying her economy away from oil dependence to promote sustainable development. My administration has undertaken bold economic reforms by removing wasteful subsidies on petroleum and the merging of our foreign exchange market, among other incentives aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

“I also wish to assure all potential Saudi investors of the safety of their investments based on the sanctity of the rule of law and good returns on their investments in the largest economy in Africa. In this regard, the benefit attached to the early inauguration of the Nigeria-Saudi Business Council can not be over-emphasized,” the President said.

President Tinubu thanked the Kingdom for the various humanitarian interventions in Nigeria through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.