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PHOTO: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media, Otega Ogra, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare during an interactive session with Nigerian Media practitioners in UK at Hilton Kensington Hotel, London ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit
By Dennis Okechukwu
Nigeria’s economic and governance reforms under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu are boosting global confidence in the country and opening new opportunities for trade, investment, and international cooperation, the Federal Government has said.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Sunday in London during a World Press Conference ahead of the Nigerian President’s official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Charles III.
According to Idris, the visit underscores the historic and strategic relationship between Nigeria and United Kingdom, a partnership he said is rooted in deep diplomatic, economic, cultural, and democratic ties.
“This visit highlights the historic and strategic relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, a partnership built on deep diplomatic, economic, cultural, and democratic ties,” the Minister said.
He noted that the visit would provide an opportunity for both countries to deepen collaboration in areas such as trade and investment, security cooperation, climate action, education, and technological innovation.
Idris also said Nigeria’s democracy has continued to grow stronger after more than two decades of uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999, supported by vibrant institutions, civil society organisations, and an active media environment.
He explained that the administration of President Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that democracy delivers tangible benefits to citizens through the Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic stabilisation, expanding opportunities, strengthening social protection, and investing in long-term national development.
The Minister highlighted key economic reforms implemented by the government, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the harmonisation of multiple foreign exchange regimes. According to him, the measures were introduced to restore fiscal transparency, improve economic sustainability, and enhance investor confidence.
Idris disclosed that these reforms, alongside a series of presidential executive orders in the oil and gas sector, have positioned Nigeria as Africa’s most attractive destination for oil and gas investment for two consecutive years. He added that the country has attracted more than eight billion dollars in Final Investment Decisions from major international companies.
“Each of these investment dollars represents jobs for Nigerians, technical skills development, revitalised communities, and stronger revenues for governments at all levels,” he said.
The Minister also announced that Nigeria would soon launch a Customs Single Window, a unified digital platform designed to connect trade agencies, importers, and exporters, streamline documentation processes, and improve efficiency in international trade.
He further disclosed that Nigeria recently exited the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force after implementing significant reforms to combat money laundering and illicit financial flows, a development he said would strengthen the country’s credibility within the global financial system and improve the ease of doing business.
According to him, reforms are also ongoing in the mining sector to promote transparency, eliminate speculative licence holding, and ensure that only credible investors participate in developing Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Idris said early signs of progress from the economic reforms were already visible across key sectors of the economy, noting that inflation has reduced significantly since 2023, while trade surplus and manufacturing activities have continued to improve.
He revealed that Nigeria’s external reserves had risen above 50 billion dollars as of February 2026, with part of the reserves now held in gold as part of the government’s diversification strategy.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects across the country, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline, which he said were aimed at strengthening economic connectivity and industrial growth.
In the power sector, Idris said initiatives such as the Presidential Power Initiative and the Presidential Metering Initiative were designed to expand electricity infrastructure and improve energy access nationwide.
He added that the government was also prioritising human capital development through programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said has enabled more than one million students to access higher education without paying upfront tuition fees.
On security, the Minister said the government had strengthened intelligence sharing and operational coordination among security agencies to tackle terrorism, banditry, and organised crime, while expanding cooperation with international partners, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
He noted that the Nigerian Navy, ranked among Africa’s strongest naval fleets in the 2026 Global Firepower Index, is leading the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Idris reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, peaceful coexistence, and national unity, stressing that the country’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths.
He added that Nigeria would continue to play an active role in regional and global affairs, including peacekeeping operations, regional diplomacy, and international cooperation to address shared challenges such as climate change, migration, and energy security.
The Minister also assured investors that Nigeria remains open to responsible investments, noting that government policies guarantee regulatory transparency, tax incentives, and full repatriation of profits.
“We deeply value our long-standing partnership with the United Kingdom and look forward to strengthening collaboration in the years ahead,” he said.