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Courageous Steps by Tinubu in making Nigeria a destination of choice for investors , says Edun

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The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to steer the economy in the right direction has propelled Nigeria to become the destination of choice for most investors.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun made this known yesterday at a press briefing in Marrakech, Morocco.

Highlighting Nigeria’s current investment climate and the opportunities available for foreign and domestic investors, the finance minister said Nigeria has taken bold, courageous steps to improve its economy and is now a prime destination for investment.

Edun acknowledged that more work is needed but believes that Nigeria is on the right path towards economic recovery, job creation, and inclusivity for women and young people.

He insisted that the opportunity being presented is not only to showcase what Nigeria has done but to also allow people to gain a better understanding of the progress that has been made.

The Minister noted that some countries now see Nigeria’s progress as an inspiration but lack the courage to take similar steps.

According to him, “regarding the opportunity to attract investment, there have been many conversations and in all honesty the narrative is that with the bold courageous steps that Nigeria has taken, we are now at the forefront almost number one on people’s list when they want to look at where to invest, that is now the narrative.

“There is more to be done but Nigeria is definitely on the right path, taking the right decisions for the economy to recover and for it to attract foreign direct investment as well as domestic investment in other to recover true economic growth, job creation and at the same time achieve inclusivity of women and young people.”

The finance minister added that “the opportunity we have had, not so much to stand in front of people and showcase but that they get the opportunity within this environment to understand even more clearly what has been done and the truth is there are some countries here that say that ‘these are steps we would like to take but they do not believe they have essentially the courage to do it’.

With regards to debt restructuring, the finance minister said the goal is to improve or modify the terms of the debt so that the borrower can better meet their obligations.

Edun agreed that waiting to restructure debt is not always the best approach but instead suggested being proactive and looking for opportunities to improve the conditions under which the debt was borrowed.

However, he pointed out that given the current global economic climate, debt is becoming less affordable due to high interest rates.

He noted that, if a borrower has access to cheap financing, they should take advantage of it as long as they are comfortably servicing the debt.

In situations where a borrower can afford to do so, they should try to pay down debt in order to avoid it becoming a burden.

Speaking about more government borrowing but this time from the Central Bank, the finance minister underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, rule of law, and a responsible approach to managing government finances, particularly in the context of borrowing from the central bank.

According to him, one of President Tinubu’s key priorities is to adhere to the legal framework and regulations already in place and this, the minister explained, extends to the President’s commitment to staying within the limits for “Ways and Means”.

Edun emphasized that President Tinubu is aware of the importance of fiscal responsibility, even though he may resort to overdraft borrowing, “his goal is to ensure that the government doesn’t exceed the statutory limits set for such borrowing.

Moreover, the minister said that there has been a realization of the need to reduce the reliance on borrowing from the central bank, which might have been excessive or appeared to be spiraling out of control in the past.

On the talks with the World Bank on $1.5 billion budget support, the minister confirmed that Nigeria was in talks with the World Bank to access the facility.

According to Wale Edun, “it has free money through IDA International Development Association. It is for the poorer countries and right now I think we qualify as one of the countries that can borrow in the normal window of World Bank funding but also some concessionary IDA funding and that means that effectively the interest rate will be zero.

“So, therefore, there is no stigma attached to qualifying for World Bank funding to help finance development. In this particular case, it has long been in the pipeline, and we are hoping that the funding will come through soon.

“A lot of hard work is being done. There is a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, that should be able to discuss this, as well as other initiatives for financing on reasonable terms. We have talked about the high costs of money, the World Bank money is the cheapest”.

Speaking on the current level of hardship Nigerians are going through as a result of putting an end to subsidy on fuel and exchange rate unification, the finance minister said “these are painful reforms and Mr. President is a man of empathy who promised not to leave the vulnerable and poor behind.

“As you know there is a set of interventions being rolled out which, day by day, should improve things. More food has been grown, fertilizers are being released, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transport is the order of the day, while the government buses, conversion kits are on the way, there is take-up of that initiative by the private sector.

“So day by day we are moving closer to affordable and even cleaner energy simply because the price of petroleum products has been put where it really stands rather than having cheap fuel which is below the market price and below its value. Now you are seeing the right value and that is making the move to cleaner and finer energy.

He also added that one of the benefits of some of the measures taken, “is the fact that there has been a 30 per cent reduction in smuggling of petroleum products across the border, I think is a major achievement of that all important step to remove fuel subsidy.

Meanwhile, the Minister has been appointed as the Chairman of the African Governors’ Forum of the World Bank.

The African Governors’ Forum is a platform for African finance ministers and central bank governors to engage with the World Bank on issues of mutual interest.

The African Caucus was established in 1963 to strengthen the voice of African Governors.

A statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, said that this marks the first time Nigeria has assumed the role of Chairman in 60 years.

It said: “World Bank Appointment: Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Wale Edun has been appointed to Chair the African Governors’ Forum of the World Bank.

“This marks the first time Nigeria has assumed the role of Chairman in 60 years.

‘’The appointment presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria and the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.’’

According to the IMF’s guiding principles for the caucus, the forum’s Chairman is determined by rotation based on the alphabetical order of African countries.

This system ensures that each country takes its turn to lead the group, preventing one nation from chairing the forum twice while others have yet to assume the role.

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Araraume Felicitates President Tinubu on his birthday. Hails his Reform Agenda and National Milestones

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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising the President’s leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the direction of the country since he assumed office.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described President Tinubu as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that the President’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long term national development.

Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long‑standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.

He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.

Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long term vision for a more productive Nigeria.

The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programs aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.

On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised President Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognize the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”

He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”

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Araraume Salutes Tinubu’s Vision, Lists Key Achievements on Birthday

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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising his leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the country’s direction since he assumed office.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described the President as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that Tinubu’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.

Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long-standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.

He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.

Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long-term vision for a more productive Nigeria.

The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programmes aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.

On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognise the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation-building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”

He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”

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APC Convention: Party Eyes Consensus for National Leadership Selection

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The All Progressives Congress has confirmed that it plans to adopt a consensus approach for selecting its national leadership during the party’s convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.

The Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the APC National Convention 2026, Mary Ikoku, disclosed the plan during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.

On the issue of elective positions during primaries, Ikoku said the party had not yet decided how these would be handled, noting that decisions may vary depending on local political dynamics.

She explained, “APC, for this convention, I am aware and can say that the party is adopting consensus for this convention. As to whether they are adopting consensus for elective positions, I do not have an answer to that because politics is local.

“So, I believe that, at the end of the day, when it comes to the issue of elective positions, the persons who would emerge aren’t often what you would want to make consensus in every space.”

Ikoku also addressed the Electoral Act’s provisions, which require political parties to register members online within a specified timeframe and outline acceptable methods for candidate selection.

She said these requirements posed challenges for some parties but reflected preparedness—or the lack thereof.

“We have an electoral law that defines the models for these elections. Direct primaries and consensus have been allowed, while indirect primaries have been taken out.

“That is the current law of the nation, passed and assented to. Now, why do you think other political parties will have issues with that?” she asked.

“That would be to say there are levels of unpreparedness of these political parties. Any political party that is worth its salt should not wait till election season to start preparing for the run for office and all of these congresses.

“It is something they would have planned ahead of time. So, when you are not proactive as a party, these kinds of situations can challenge you deeply,” she added.

Ahead of the convention, the party began screening aspirants for key positions in its National Working Committee , including National Chairman aspirant Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary hopeful Ajibola Basiru.

Other NWC members seeking to retain their posts include National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Woman Leader Mary Alile Idele, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, among others.

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