President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Qatar’s growing interest in strategic partnerships with Nigeria, particularly in agriculture and food security. Speaking on Friday while receiving Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the Amir of Qatar, at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen bilateral relations with the Gulf nation.
A statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that Al-Khulaifi announced the planned visit of a high-level Qatari business delegation in the coming weeks. The visit aims to explore opportunities in agriculture, food security, and petrochemicals.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to building on the progress made during his 2024 visit to Qatar, assuring that all bilateral agreements between both nations would be fully implemented. He commended Qatar for its contributions to global peace and human development and emphasized Nigeria’s appreciation of its relationship with the Gulf state.
“We are willing to go further in our bilateral relations,” Tinubu said. “I am proud of your efforts to bring peace and stability to the world. Like you, we are sandwiched between the challenge of terrorism and helping our neighbors.”
Reforms to Attract Investment
Highlighting ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s tax system, Tinubu assured the Qatari envoy of a business-friendly environment for foreign investors. He explained that the reforms were challenging but necessary to stimulate growth and ease of doing business in the country.
“We are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Tinubu stated. “You can’t find a better partner than Nigeria. You have done well in developing a knowledge-based economy in Qatar, but what about Nigeria?”
Qatar’s Strategic Vision for Nigeria
Al-Khulaifi, whose role includes mediating peace in Africa and the Middle East, emphasized Qatar’s ambition to make Nigeria a strategic partner in Africa. He noted that Qatari companies are eager to enter the Nigerian market, especially in agriculture and petrochemicals.
“We are proud of the level of relations we have reached with Nigeria. It’s not just government to government, but also people to people,” Al-Khulaifi said.
He added that Qatari companies would visit Nigeria soon to discuss investment opportunities, further solidifying the partnership. “The message I have from His Highness, Amir of Qatar, is that he wants Nigeria to be a strategic partner in Africa,” Al-Khulaifi concluded.
