Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) as part of Nigeria’s participation at the just concluded 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US, hosted the Nigeria State Luncheon on “Financing Nigeria’s Growth Agenda” with public officials and investors geared towards galvanizing investment opportunities for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
The event which was held at The Madison Main Ballroom, The Lotte New York Palace, on the 21st of September 2023 was coordinated by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, His Excellency Wale Edun. It provided a quality opportunity for the interface between potential investors and Nigerian leaders to share ideas on the investment opportunities in Nigeria as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s resolve to create an enabling environment to attract foreign direct investments in Nigeria.
Amb. Tuggar also used the opportunity to woo diaspora Nigerians against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s foreign policy strategy tagged 4-D, mainstreams Diaspora engagement as a key objective alongside Democracy, Development and Demography.
The luncheon brought together top investors including African Finance Corporation, US Exim Bank, Afrexim Bank, Goldman Sachs, Kuramo Capital, and Keffi Group, among many others. Nigeria’s presentation focused on highlighting the investment opportunities in Nigeria, financial incentives designed to drive investment, increased investors’ confidence, and enhanced diplomatic relations. There were also presentations from Haim Israel, the Managing Director of Research and Global Strategist, and the Head of the Global Thematic Research Team at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, who showcased Nigeria’s vast investment potential from the perspective of American-basedinstitutional investors.
Also in attendance were the US Exim Bank represented by UfoEric-Atuanya, the Senior Vice President of Global Business Development, Barbados represented by Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, and the UK was represented by Myles Stacey OBE, the Special Adviser to the UK Prime Minister, who all gave rousing speeches in appreciation of the host of the event.
The interface is expected to usher in a new vista of economic development for Nigeria and Africa at large.