Senator Osita Izunaso has expressed confidence that Nigeria could become a major global investment destination before its 100th anniversary, if its human and natural resources are properly harnessed.
The Lawmaker, who represents Imo West Senatorial District, identified human capital development, economic integration and regional security as critical factors that could determine whether Nigeria fulfils its economic potential.
Speaking on Nigeria at 66, the senator argued that the country’s greatest advantage was not merely its vast oil, gas and mineral resources but the size, diversity and capacity of its population.
“We have enormous mineral resources, but the greatest of our strength is in the human resources that we have,” Izunaso emphasised.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria could transform its enormous potential into global economic influence by effectively combining its human and natural resources.
“I believe that we should be able to galvanise our human resources, complement it with our natural resources, and then Nigeria will be a country to watch,” the senator maintained.
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Izunaso projected that Nigeria could become a major destination for global investment before reaching its centenary anniversary.
“Before we get to 100 years, this country will be the country to watch globally because it’s the final destination of investment in the whole world,” the lawmaker predicted.
Izunaso described Nigeria as “the greatest Black nation in the world,” citing its population, resources and strategic importance within Africa.
He noted that the size of the country alone would not guarantee prosperity, stressing the need to deliberately create conditions that would enable Nigerians, businesses and investors to thrive.
Diversity, Resilience As National Strengths
Izunaso also pointed to Nigeria’s ability to remain united despite its cultural and linguistic diversity as evidence of the country’s resilience.
“Nigeria is a country of cultural diversity, a country of over 400 languages. And this country has remained united for 66 years now,” the senator observed.
He acknowledged the political disagreements and crises the country had experienced but maintained that Nigeria had consistently emerged from difficult periods stronger.
“Not that we haven’t gone through turmoil or through disagreements, but the difference between Nigeria and other countries is that when we pass through these things, we get stronger and better,” Izunaso maintained.
Izunaso Advocates Deeper ECOWAS Integration
Speaking on ECOWAS integration and Nigeria’s domestic challenges, Izunaso said the country’s prosperity was also tied to the success of the West African region.
He expressed concern over the recent withdrawal of three countries from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, describing the development as a setback to regional integration.
“Much as ECOWAS is about 50 years old, but it is still work in progress,” the Lawmaker acknowledged.
According to him, ECOWAS needed stronger institutions, deeper economic cooperation and a more coordinated approach to regional security.
He particularly advocated a stronger and independent regional parliament.
“We should be able to have a very strong legislature, independent legislature. We don’t have an independent ECOWAS Parliament. The Parliament, to me, is a quasi-parliament; it’s not a full independent parliament,” Izunaso argued.
Senator Calls For Common Currency
He further called for a common currency and the removal of unnecessary barriers to trade among West African countries.
“We should also strive towards one currency. They have done it in Europe, and it’s working. We are packaging and planning, but we haven’t gotten there yet. We should have one currency,” the Senator advocated.
He argued that the movement of goods and services should be as seamless as the movement of people across the region.
“I shouldn’t have any problem taking my goods from Mali to Nigeria or my goods from Nigeria to Monrovia. There shouldn’t be any—it should be today as if it is one country,” the lawmaker stressed.
The senator also called for a coordinated regional security architecture, noting that insecurity in one country could quickly affect neighbouring countries.
“If it is happening in Niger, Nigeria is affected. If it is happening in Mali, Nigeria is affected. So there is a need for a comprehensive, cohesive security approach towards tackling insecurity in Africa,” Izunaso urged.
Izunaso Appeals For Support For APC
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Izunaso appealed to Nigerians to support the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, arguing that continuity was necessary for the administration to complete its programmes.
“Four years of this administration might not be enough for us to deliver all the things that we promised Nigerians,” the senator argued.
He added that another term would provide the administration with the opportunity to fulfil its outstanding promises.
‘Let My People Assess Me’
Reflecting on his performance as senator representing Imo West, Izunaso said his responsibilities included attracting development projects to his constituency and making laws for the benefit of Nigerians.
“We are here to represent our people in all these ramifications. We are here to attract developmental projects to our people, we are here to make laws for the betterment of the country. I believe that we have delivered the goods and we are still delivering the goods,” Izunaso maintained.
