President Bola Tinubu has affirmed that Nigeria has become a very high destination for investment, despite the many challenges confronting the nation.
The President also disclosed that the economy has picked up and attracted unprecedented investment of billions of dollars in the hydrocarbons sector.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the State House during a meeting with the delegation of the Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“I have just received the good news that our gas investment has crossed the most difficult river and is moving very effectively,” he said, in reference to the milestone achieved by the NNPC in completing the River Niger crossing of the OB3 Gas Pipeline.
The pipeline, laid 2km beneath the riverbed using advanced HDD technology, unlocks a transport capacity of 2 billion scf/day—strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, power generation, and industrial growth.
He commended the Civil Society Group for the calibre of individuals involved in its programmes.
“Thank you for instigating high-level intellectuality and inquisitiveness in governance. We have survived the edge of bankruptcy; we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
“We have an audacious project—the Sokoto-Badagry highway. Along that corridor, there are over 75 dams that can be used for irrigation and technology, and power generation that will serve the majority of Nigerians to improve the quality of life,” he said.
The President also emphasised that efforts to improve the security situation in the country were progressing, adding that the issue of state police was receiving attention.
“It’s not a situation that you can rectify with a snap of the finger. We shall overcome.”
Earlier, Director General of CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff, informed the President that the organisation is a United Nations (UN)-accredited non-profit that coordinates various Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) to support socio-economic development and humanitarian efforts.
He appreciated the bold, transformative reforms of Tinubu’s administration and pledged the organisation’s commitment to complement government efforts.
“Mr President, to describe you as the architect of Nigeria’s new financial infrastructure is neither hyperbolic nor gainsaying. The revenue outcomes have witnessed an exponential growth exceeding 300%,” Yusuff said.
He added that Nigeria was making progress in implementing the SDGs Global Agenda 2030 and commended the administration’s policy on local government autonomy.
Yusuff also acknowledged achievements in infrastructure development, NELFUND, and Social Investment Programmes, while calling for an expansion of beneficiaries.
By Deji Elumoye
