• Tinubu pledges skills development for out-of-schoolchildren

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with France in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education and security.

Tinubu made the pledgeduring a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The two leaders later addressed a joint news conference. 

The President, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also emphasised his administration’s commitment to skill acquisition training for Nigerians, especially children who have “been out of school for years”.  

Tinubu highlighted the vast and largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

He called on international investors to capitalise on opportunities in the sector.

“The French—Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another country,” said the President.

Tinubu described Nigeria’s financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises.

He said: “Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in food security.

“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.

“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better.”

The President said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that would directly impact Nigerians.

“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated, and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” Tinubu said.

He implored the French government to extend to Nigeria, trainings that would develop its youth population.

“Furthermore, we should de-risk the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potential and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship,” the President added.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria, like most African nations, has been preoccupied with tackling food insecurity.

He said: “A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st century, no child should go to bed hungry.

“If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem in getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us.” 

President Tinubu said the blue economy in Nigeria also provides a huge opportunity for investment, with unexplored potential in fishery.

“In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment.

“We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in and easy out,” he stated.

Tinubu outlined plans to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-class initiatives and skills development programmes.

“To bridge the gap for some who are of age, and have been out of school for a while, we will encourage skills development,” he stated.

The President told Macron and his wife, Brigitte, that Nigeria’s developmental potential hinges on a well-educated populace.

He said although “insecurity in some parts of the country makes it hard for children to return to school, we are gradually re-populating the classrooms.”

“We need skills development to bridge the gaps,” the President added.

He also highlighted efforts by his administration to enhance security across the country.

“With some more efforts, we will be able to get some level of stability. We had a very good harvest this year and as soon as more farmers can go back to the farm, we will have more stability in harvest and supply,” Tinubu said.

On global security, the President noted that there was a need for collective responsibility to fight terrorism.

“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration,” he said.

President Macron acknowledged the state visit by Tinubu, saying it will herald deeper bilateral relationships between the two countries.

He emphasised collaborative growth in creative industries and youth-focused initiatives.

Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s vast growth potential and the importance of investing in educational initiatives.

He reflected on his formative experiences during his six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria.

Macron also noted that global humanitarian challenges could only be solved with governments working together.

He said: “We have confidence that you, Mr. President, will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role.

“I will seek your leadership to work as partners of progress. You are the great leader of the great country in Africa.

“We appreciate your visionary leadership and energy in transforming the economy of your country. We will work together for collective, global success,” he said.

The French leader assured that he would encourage more investments in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. 

Both countries signed an agreement after Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake made a presentation on the sector’s potential.

President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were welcomed with full honours at Hotel Les Invalides and Palais De l’Élysée by Macron and his wife, Brigitte.

[TheNation]