Nigeria Advocates Enabling Environment For Companies To Thrive Internationally

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has advocated for an enabling environment for Nigerian companies seeking to establish businesses in foreign countries to thrive.

The Minister made this known in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at a meeting with the executive members of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, at the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.

Idris, who represented President Bola Tinubu, stressed that it was important that other nations provide an enabling environment for Nigerian businesses to thrive internationally, same as Nigeria does to foreign businesses.

 “Last year, I was representing Nigeria in Indonesia and found out that about 50 big Indonesian companies are operating in Nigeria but we do not have five Nigerian companies operating in Indonesia. If they want to come to our country to trade because of our population and ability to purchase their goods and services, then there should also be that reciprocal arrangement where Nigerians are also given the rightful place; and the visa issue is the same problem you find in Ethiopia and Indonesia. It becomes very complex for people to give Nigerians visas,” he said.

In response to concerns regarding the Ethiopian government’s cancellation of the e-visa and Visa-on-Arrival options for Nigerian travelers, Idris explained that governments often implement visa regulations in response to the policies extended to their citizens, highlighting the need for balanced and mutually beneficial agreements in international travel and diplomacy.

The Information Minister emphasized that visa policies among nations are typically based on the principle of reciprocity, while assuring that the matter will be forwarded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for appropriate diplomatic engagement.

“Every relationship with other countries is reciprocal. So if we give them Visa-on-Arrival, there is no reason why they should not give us Visa-on-Arrival,” he said.

The Minister therefore urged Nigerians living abroad to consistently demonstrate good conduct and responsible citizenship in order to promote the image of the country to the outside world.

“We don’t allow bad people to represent us and that’s where you come in. You are the ones who are here and if you don’t represent us well, there is no way we will look good. The visit of the President to Ethiopia from time to time or the visit of any minister here cannot do it. It is those who are here and living with them that can change whatever perception they have about our country,” he said.

The Minister further informed the Nigerian community about the policy direction of the Tinubu Administration, stressing that a lot has been achieved in revamping the economy, provision of infrastructure, curbing insecurity, and the restoration of investor confidence in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria has recently secured approximately $1.07 billion in Foreign Direct Investment for the establishment of drug and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

“This significant investment marks the beginning of Nigeria’s medical industrialization by positioning the country as a key player in pharmaceutical production to enhance local drug manufacturing capacity, reduce dependency on imports, create jobs, and strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector”.

Idris, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling security challenges head-on, added that: in 2024 alone, security forces neutralized 8,000 terrorists and bandits, rescued 8,000 kidnapped victims, and recorded 11,600 arrests. The reform is usually a very difficult task but there is a gradual progression towards prosperity for all as promised by the President”.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, Mr. Muideen Alimi, said part of their work plan is to collaborate with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to organize a workshop on enhancing economic development through intra-African trade, calling on Nigerians to support the actualization of the plan to set up the African Central Bank as well as have a strong presence in the African Remittance Agency.

The meeting was attended by the Director General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other top government officials.

Olusola Akintonde