By Jennete Ugo Anya
Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that Nigeria is open for business, noting that ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are creating unprecedented opportunities for investors.
Speaking recently at the Presidential Villa while receiving a delegation from Advanced Energy Partners (AEP), he assured investors that Nigeria’s abundant resources and strategic interventions are fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and foreign direct investment.
“There is no better time to invest in Nigeria. You have come at the right time where we have been blessed with committed leadership. Be rest assured that you have invested your trust in the right nation. Nigeria is ready for business. We have crossed the Rubicon and are now on the path of sustainable development,” he stated.
According to a statement by Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Office of the Vice President, the delegation, led by Senator Abu Ibrahim, Chairman of AEP, visited to explore investment opportunities in upstream oil and other strategic sectors. Representatives from China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) and Horizon Energy Abu Dhabi were also part of the group, reaffirming their commitment to expanding operations and partnerships in Nigeria.
The statement noted that Mr. Qiang Wenyu, NORINCO Vice President, cited prior engagement with President Tinubu in Beijing in September 2024, stating the company has been actively pursuing collaborations in energy, oil & gas, defence, and mining. The firm, with an annual turnover of $30 billion, emphasized its readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigerian partners.
Similarly, Ms. Mahra Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Horizon Energy Abu Dhabi, attributed her company’s renewed confidence in Nigeria to the administration’s effective leadership and strong management of key institutions, including the NNPC.
Supporting the delegation, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Shamsi, encouraged immediate investment, describing Nigeria as the “right place” for foreign capital.
