President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its bilateral relations with Qatar, particularly in agriculture and strategic investments, positioning Nigeria as a key partner for Qatar in Africa.
He gave this assurance on Friday at the State House in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Special Envoy of the Amir of Qatar and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu welcomed the growing interest of Qatari investors in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and assured the visiting envoy that Nigeria remains open to meaningful partnerships that promote economic growth and national development.
“I am pleased that the Amir of Qatar has maintained keen interest in our discussions from my visit last year. Nigeria takes its relationship with Qatar seriously, and we are ready to strengthen our cooperation further,” the President said.
He confirmed that Nigeria would fully implement all agreements reached during his 2024 state visit to Qatar, directing key ministers Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Budget and Economic Planning), Mohammed Idris (Information and National Orientation), and Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (Foreign Affairs) — to coordinate the timely execution of the bilateral arrangements.
The Qatari envoy, Dr Al-Khulaifi, conveyed the Amir’s strong desire to expand cooperation with Nigeria across critical sectors, including agriculture, food security, petrochemicals, and peace-building. He announced that a high-level Qatari business delegation would visit Nigeria in the coming weeks to explore concrete investment opportunities.
“We are proud of the level of relations we’ve reached with Nigeria. It’s not only at the government level but also people-to-people. Some of our companies are eager to explore opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in agriculture and petrochemicals,” Al-Khulaifi said.
Commending Qatar’s global peace-building efforts, President Tinubu acknowledged the Gulf state’s developmental model and expressed admiration for its focus on knowledge-driven economic growth.
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“I am proud of your country’s efforts in global peace and prosperity. Nigeria, like Qatar, faces challenges from terrorism and insecurity, and we appreciate the support of friends who work with us to mitigate these problems,” he said.
The President also outlined Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, especially in the area of taxation, to create a more attractive environment for foreign investment.
“We are making hard but necessary reforms. Though the decisions have been tough, they are essential for long-term growth. Nigeria is open for business, and you won’t find a more reliable partner,” Tinubu assured.
He further urged Qatari investors to support humanitarian and economic initiatives in Nigeria, particularly those aimed at addressing poverty and strengthening food sovereignty.
Dr Al-Khulaifi concluded by reaffirming the Amir’s message that Qatar views Nigeria as a vital strategic partner in Africa and looks forward to further collaboration in peace-building and development.
