President Bola Tinubu on Friday defended his administration’s tough economic reforms, emphasizing that they are necessary steps to secure Nigeria’s long-term growth.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja while receiving Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, special envoy of the Amir of Qatar, Tinubu said Nigeria is making progress, particularly in overhauling its tax system to ease foreign investment.
“We are making efforts to reform our tax system. Going by the experiences of the past and the need to depart from old ways, our reforms have been hard,” Tinubu said in a statement released by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
“I made tough decisions so that we could grow. We are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Highlighting Nigeria as a strong investment partner, Tinubu called on Qatar to deepen collaboration, particularly in humanitarian support, food sovereignty, and economic development. He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implement the bilateral agreements established during his 2024 state visit to Qatar.
The president directed key cabinet ministers—including Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Budget and Economic Planning), Mohammed Idris (Information), and Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (Foreign Affairs)—to work closely to ensure the swift execution of the agreements.
Expressing gratitude, Tinubu said:
“Let me commend the brotherly relations between Qatar and Nigeria. I am glad that the Amir of Qatar greatly remembers the issues discussed during my visit last year. We are willing to go further in our bilateral relations.”
He praised Qatar’s global role in peace-building, describing the country’s efforts in human development, stability, and prosperity as commendable.
In response, Dr. Al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, conveyed the Amir’s strong desire to expand bilateral cooperation. He announced that a high-level Qatari business delegation would soon visit Nigeria to explore investments in agriculture, food security, and petrochemicals.
“We are proud of the level of relations we have reached with Nigeria. Our ambassador has been following up with the projects, and we have much to do together,” Al-Khulaifi said.
He also relayed the Amir’s message that Qatar seeks Nigeria as a key strategic partner in Africa, emphasizing both government-level and people-to-people ties.
