In a bid to stem the tide of multinational companies leaving Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, December 7, pleaded with corporations to reconsider their departure, assuring them of the government's commitment to resolving obstacles hindering their operations. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Shell Group, led by its Global Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Ms. Zoe Yujnovich, at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the administration's determination to make Nigeria an attractive destination for large-scale investments.
"We are very focused on resolving all investment-related issues. There is no bottleneck that is too difficult for us to remove in our determined march toward making Nigeria the African haven for large-scale investment in all key sectors," stated Tinubu during the meeting. He underscored the mutual need for collaboration, saying, "We need each other."
A statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, expressed Tinubu's confidence in the potential for increased investment from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria's enduring ties with Shell, dating back to the discovery of the country’s first commercial oil field in 1956, assuring the delegation of the government's commitment to securing and fostering both existing and new investments.
"We have made progress since our last meeting. I will continue to support and encourage you on this path," Tinubu assured the Shell delegation. He acknowledged the global focus on investment in and around the continent and expressed readiness to facilitate and encourage the corporation in every possible way.
This plea from Tinubu comes at a critical juncture when several multinational companies, including P&G and GSK, have chosen to exit Nigeria. The nation's resolve to address investment challenges reflects a broader effort to retain and attract businesses, signaling a crucial moment in the country's economic trajectory
