Tinubu backs Qatari investment, assures stronger Nigeria-Qatar partnership

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed new investment initiatives from Qatar, especially in agriculture and food security, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Gulf nation.

He made the remarks on Friday at the State House in Abuja while receiving Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and special envoy of the Amir of Qatar.

Al-Khulaifi conveyed the Amir’s interest in deepening bilateral cooperation and announced that a high-level Qatari business delegation would visit Nigeria in the coming weeks to explore opportunities in agriculture, food security, and other critical sectors.

Reflecting on his 2024 state visit to Qatar, Tinubu assured that Nigeria is ready to implement all bilateral agreements reached between the two countries. He directed key cabinet members — including the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Information, and Foreign Affairs — to ensure their timely execution.

The President also praised Qatar’s global peace efforts and acknowledged shared challenges, especially in the fight against terrorism. “We are conscious of who is our friend and those helping us to ameliorate the problems,” he said.

Highlighting ongoing economic reforms, Tinubu cited efforts to streamline Nigeria’s tax system to make it more attractive to foreign investors. “I made tough decisions so that we could grow. We are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.

In his remarks, Al-Khulaifi expressed satisfaction with the current level of relations, noting that the partnership extends beyond governments to people-to-people connections. He said Qatari companies are eager to invest in Nigeria’s agriculture and petrochemical sectors.

“The message I have from His Highness, Amir of Qatar, is that he wants Nigeria to be a strategic partner in Africa,” he said.