Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to expanding international business engagements, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima assuring global investors of the country’s readiness to welcome new partnerships. He gave the assurance in Abuja while receiving executives from Advanced Energy Partners (AEP) during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.
Shettima noted that the economic and structural reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration are already reshaping the business environment and unlocking fresh investment prospects across multiple sectors. According to him, the country is entering a pivotal period marked by policy stability, targeted interventions, and a renewed commitment to private-sector growth.
“There is no more advantageous period to invest in Nigeria than the present,” he said. “You are engaging with a nation under focused leadership, and your confidence has been placed in the right direction. Nigeria is open for business and positioned for long-term progress.”
The Vice-President emphasized that deliberate government actions are being implemented to support economic expansion, improve investor confidence, and attract foreign direct investments. He added that the administration is committed to ensuring an operating climate that encourages sustainable development.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the consortium, Senator Abu Ibrahim, explained that the AEP delegation is in the country to assess high-value investment opportunities, particularly in the upstream oil sector and other strategic areas of the Nigerian economy.
Also addressing the delegation, Mr. Qiang Wenyu, Vice President of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), stated that the engagement follows up on discussions previously held with President Tinubu in Beijing in September 2024. He reaffirmed NORINCO’s dedication to strengthening collaboration with Nigerian partners and expanding its operational footprint in the country.
Wenyu highlighted the company’s long-standing expertise in energy, defence, oil and gas, industrial manufacturing, and mining, noting that NORINCO recorded a turnover of $30 billion last year while maintaining a strong global reputation in its core industries. He also confirmed that the company has been working over the past year to advance its commitments to the Nigerian government.
In her remarks, Ms. Mahra Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Energy in Abu Dhabi, commended the direction of Nigeria’s current leadership. She attributed the organisation’s renewed interest in the country to the policy consistency and institutional reforms championed by President Tinubu. She further acknowledged the credibility of leading national agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al Shamsi, also encouraged the consortium to accelerate its investment plans, describing Nigeria as an “ideal destination” for foreign capital. He noted that strengthened bilateral relations under the Tinubu administration had contributed to a non-oil trade volume of $4.3 billion between Nigeria and the UAE in 2024.
