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President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is well positioned to power the clean energy future of the world, including Europe, with its high-grade lithium deposits.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, at his official residence in The Hague, according to a statement by Ngelale Ajuri, the presidential aide.
Tinubu said Nigeria offers immense opportunities across a pool of sectors, adding that his administration is deepening reforms to enhance the investment climate.
He said Nigeria seeks robust, balanced, and mutually beneficial partnerships that will spur value-addition in areas like solid minerals.
“Taking a holistic view of the world order, there is a tremendous opportunity between us across trade spheres but especially in solid minerals, where we have high-grade lithium deposits that we know can power the clean energy future of the world,” Tinubu said.
“There is excellent value-additive opportunity in Nigeria. The world knows us for oil. They will soon know us for greater innovative exploits in other areas.
“We have an extremely dynamic youth population in Nigeria. It is a young country. 70% of our people are under the age of 30, and when we are referring to 200 million plus citizens, it represents both a massive workforce and a massive market for Dutch and other international investors.
“If our young people know they can achieve a good future in Nigeria, they will stay home and build our nation to greatness.
“Lawful migration of trained Nigerian minds and hands will be a benefit to Europe, and irregular migration will no longer be a source of fear in Europe if we partner effectively.
“This is what we want and it is why we are adamant about providing student loans and new credit opportunities to not only enhance the skills of our people but also to ensure that they can access a higher quality of life within their legitimate incomes.
“We will transform our economy, and our young people will be the reason why.”
Responding, Rutte said Tinubu’s economic reforms have engendered greater confidence in the Nigerian economy by international investors.
He said Dutch investors have recently activated another set of $250 million worth of new investments over the next few months, including a $100 million investment in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos state.
“You are promoting democratic governance and the solutions it can bring in dealing with problems of development,” the prime minister said.
“I saw you take the courageous decision to deal with fuel subsidies and other reforms, and we are interested in what allowed you to take the decisions that many before you could not take.
“And you took those decisions early in your term. It shows rare determination and your stand in ECOWAS, all of these point to your commitment in leadership.”
Tinubu also assured of his commitment to develop the partnership between the European Union (EU) and Nigeria, adding that symbiotic economic ties remain the best long-term path to sustainable and mutual prosperity.
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