Nigeria has reaffirmed its determination to strengthen international business partnerships, according to Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Shettima made this known on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the Advanced Energy Partners (AEP) on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained that the ongoing reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration across key sectors were creating fresh windows for investment.
“There is no better time to invest in Nigeria than now. You have come at the right time when we have been blessed with committed leadership,” he said.
The Vice-President noted that the administration was driving policies and interventions that would expand the economy and attract more foreign direct investment.
“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 added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the consortium, Sen. Abu Ibrahim, said the team was in the country to explore opportunities, particularly in the upstream oil sector and other areas of the economy.
Also speaking, Vice President of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), Mr. QIANG Wenyu, said the visit followed an earlier meeting with President Tinubu in Beijing in September 2024.
Wenyu reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working with Nigerian partners across major sectors, adding that NORINCO had been acting on its pledge to deepen investment in Nigeria for the past year.
He outlined the company’s major areas of focus, including energy, oil and gas, defence, manufacturing and mining, noting that its annual turnover rose to 30 billion dollars last year.
Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Energy, Abu Dhabi, Ms. Mahra Al Suwaidi, praised President Tinubu’s leadership and said her company’s renewed interest in Nigeria was linked to the credibility of institutions such as the NNPC Ltd.
Likewise, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al Shamsi, encouraged the consortium to proceed swiftly with its plans, describing Nigeria as the ideal destination for new investments. He added that strengthened relations between both countries had boosted non-oil trade to 4.3 billion dollars in 2024.
With these assurances, the delegation departed with renewed confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to deepening global economic cooperation.