We Need Foreign Direct Investment Now Than Ever Before—Shettima

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, has said Nigeria is in dire need of foreign direct investment (FDI) more than ever before, tasking domestic and foreign investors to make Nigeria their investment hub because efforts are being made to formulate business-friendly policies.

Mr Shettima, while speaking when he hosted the management of First Surat Group, as well as top management of MTN Nigeria at the presidential villa in Abuja, charged MTN Nigeria to facilitate and spearhead digital mobile money and digital education.

He assured that President Bola Tinubu was willing to partner with various stakeholders in the quest to help boost the nation’s productivity base and generate rapid employment.

Commending the professionalism and devotion of Surat Group, which runs Nizamiye Hospital, Nizamiye Foundation, as well as its educational institutions, the VP said by extension, the group, with its 2,500 staff, caters for over 100,000 extended families and dependents.

“Agriculture remains key to the Nigerian economy. You may wish to consider divesting from the health and education sectors where you have distinguished yourself and delve into agric business where we have huge investment potential.

“I assure you that my principal is creating the right environment for businesses to thrive. Property rights will be enforced and no one will be deprived of their rights. We need foreign direct investment right now more than ever before. Reach out to us and we will support you to succeed,” he promised.

For MTN Nigeria, the Vice President assured the telecoms giant of the federal government’s commitment to removing all obstacles militating against businesses, stating that gone are the days of double taxation and unnecessary bottlenecks, adding that President Tinubu’s policy on the ease of doing business would be carried to the later.

Promising that Nigeria’s economy would pick up massively in less than 15 months, he charged the telecommunication giant to consider fast-tracking digital mobile money, as well as digital education in Nigeria.

“I have never seen anyone committed to revamping Nigeria’s economy like President Tinubu. Yes, we may be facing challenges but believe me, in no distant time the country will be better off for it,” the VP promised.

Earlier, the Chairman of First Surat Group, Dr Ali Maina, thanked the Vice President, just as he said aside from the company’s vast interest and strategic partnerships, its corporate social responsibility has seen it investing millions of naira in the lives and welfare of Nigerians.

On his part, the Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Mr Ernest Ndukwe, and the chief executive of the firm, Mr Karl Toriola, said the telecoms firm remains committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.