Tinubu’s France Trip Good For Nigeria, Africa – Prof Bolaji Akinyemi

By Ayodele Oni

Reactions have continued to trail the first international engagement of President Bola Tinubu since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

The President is presently in Paris, France, where, along with other world leaders, attending a high level Summit for New Global Financing  Pact.

A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, described the outing as good for the country and lauded President Tinubu for his presence at the Paris Summit.

Akinyemi who spoke during an interview on Arise TV. said it is a signal that Nigeria is ready and prepared for real business.

The President had told investors on Thursday in Paris that ongoing reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rate, will be sustained for a more competitive economy that attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments,’’ he said, while receiving President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), Prof. Benedict Oramah; and President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud–Basso, in separate meetings, on the sidelines of the Summit for New Global Financing Pact.

Tinubu also assured the delegation of Afreximbank Executives that the Federal Government will continue to stimulate the economy with policies that support investments in areas of Nigeria’s competitive advantage, particularly agriculture.

In his analysis, Prof Akinyemi revealed that most of these organisations are interested in Nigeria due to the economic policies detailed by the Nigerian President, as evidenced with his actions in the first few weeks of his tenure.

“There is no doubt that the World Bank and the IMF need to be restructured in order to reflect responses and issues facing the world economies.

“There is a need for a new school of thought. I am glad for the presence of Tinubu because this signals that Nigeria is back.

“All these organisations such as AfriExim show that they are interested and vested in Nigeria.

“He must have showed them the economic policies to be instituted; it was a good outing for Tinubu and for Africa, at large.”