Tag: Vice President Kashim Shettima

  • Shettima departs for Gabon to attend presidential inauguration

    Shettima departs for Gabon to attend presidential inauguration

    Vice President Kashim Shettima will, on Saturday, May 3, depart Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of the country’s president-elect, Brice Nguema.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shettima will attend the event at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.

    The spokesperson of the vice president, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, who made this known in a statement, said Nigeria remains supportive of the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon.

    Nkwocha also reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.

    He said that the vice president is expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.

    NAN reports that Nguema, who had served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a decisive victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election.

    According to final results released by Gabon’s Constitutional Court, Oligui Nguema garnered 58,074 votes—equivalent to 94.85 per cent of the total votes cast.

    Oligui Nguema faced seven challengers in the race, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who finished second with three per cent of the vote.

    Other candidates failed to surpass the 1 per cent threshold. (NAN)

  • Borno Assembly passes vote of confidence on Tinubu, Shettima

    Borno Assembly passes vote of confidence on Tinubu, Shettima

    The Borno State House of Assembly (BOSHA) presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, on the presidential ‘Renewed Hope’ initiative aimed at tackling security challenges in parts of the North East and the country as a whole.

    The House equally gave its unwavering support and stood firmly behind Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on his 10-point agenda, which focused on restoring peace, stability and resentment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

    This also raised the alarm over the renewed Boko Haram attacks on several communities, urging the government at all levels and the military to be proactive in addressing it.

    These were disclosed after Thursday’s plenary and Notice of Motion sponsored by the member representing Marte Constituency, Hon. Engr. Mohammed Gambomi Marte, on ‘The Need To Address The Resurgence of Boko Haram Terrorists and Islamic State In West Africa Province (ISWAP)” in some parts of Borno and its environs.

    The Motion, which was co-sponsored by other honorable members, received a unanimous endorsement on the floor of the house after deliberations, during which ten (10) resolutions were reached.

    Earlier, according to Hon. Marte, “the alarming rate of the resurgence of terrorism orchestrated by Boko Haram/ISWAP after enjoying relative peace in the last two to three years calls for serious concern, as Guzamala and Abadam local government areas remained under Boko Haram control with no civil authority in any of its communities.

    “Likewise, some parts of Monguno, Hawul, Biu, Bama, Gwoza, Damboa Chibok, Kala Balge, Mafa, Dikwa, Kukawa, Ngala, Dikwa, Askira- Uba and Marte local government areas among others remained frequently hit places by terrorists in recent times.” He lamented.

    Also contributing, members representing Hawul, Dikwa, Damboa, Biu, and Nganzai local government areas, Mohammed Kwajaffa, Mohammed Zakariya, Wakil Korede, Yakubu Kimba, Mohammed Ali Gajiram and two other co-sponsors, argued that Borno people and the entire North East region had witnessed relative peace; unfortunately, the resurgence of activities of terrorists in Wulgo, Damboa, Sabon Gari, Wajiroko, Izge, Ngoshe, Tarfa, Ngohi, Kautikari, Damasak among other communities have dashed out the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, as unspecified number of troops and civilians were killed and injured in the renewed onslaught.

    Reading out the 10 Resolutions, Speaker Lawan said: “As you are aware, the Borno State Government recently voiced alarm over the increasing attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP in the state, similarly the Federal.

    The government acknowledged the challenges posed by these insurgent activities. The president condemned the act as a desperate move by terrorists facing mounting pressure.

    “In light of these developments, the Borno State House of Assembly has expressed its vote of confidence in President Bola.

    Ahmed Tinubu (Grand Commander of the Federal Republic) and the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger) administration on the presidential

    ‘renewed hope’ initiative aimed at tackling security challenges in the country.

    “Equally, the Borno State House of Assembly gave its unwavering support and stood firmly behind Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, mni, FNSE, the Governor of Borno State, on his 10-

    Point agenda focused on restoring peace, stability and resettlement in the state and repose 100% confidence in him and

    His administration in restoring Borno’s lost glory as a home of peace.

    “We also passed a vote of confidence on the military and other security agencies, including our Civilian Joint Tasks Force, local hunters and vigilantes, for their sacrifices.

    “These collaborative efforts between the state and the federal authorities underscore unified commitment to addressing the Security challenges in Borno State and the broader North East region.

    “This Honorable House, therefore, resolved as follows:-

    1. Called on the Executive to initiate a comprehensive review of our security frameworks and allocate adequate resources to bolster local security architecture and the need to adapt social intervention programs that address youth unemployment, social inequality, and the underlying grievances that often fuel unrest.

    “2. Called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy additional security forces and equipment to affected areas and ensure improved coordination among all branches of the security forces.

    “3. Called on the executive to increase funding and logistical support for the security architecture within the affected regions to rebuild public confidence and restore normalcy.

    “4. Encourage strategic intelligence-sharing, border surveillance, and regional cooperation among the countries.

    That bordered our states to contain the spread and influence of these terrorist groups.

    “5. Called on the relevant security agencies to intensify their

    Operations improve intelligence gathering and enhance community policing efforts.

    “6. Called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a Brigade (or Regiment) Command for a Large operational unit with combined arms capabilities at Guzamala LGA, which does not have any military formation at the moment to enable return.of displaced Persons within Guzamala and

    Abadam LGAs”. Rt. Hon. Lawan said.

    He continued, adding, “7. The House called on individuals and communities to encourage and adopt Community policing.

    “8. Called on our traditional and religious leaders to intensify prayers.

    “9. Urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

    Other humanitarian bodies should immediately provide relief materials and establish temporary shelter and medical aid for displaced persons.

    “Finally 10. The Honourable House called on the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate and reconstruct all Federal road network linking LGAs in Borno State and other States in the North East sub-region”. The Speaker concluded.

  • Shettima departs for Dakar to attend Senegal’s 65th Independence

    Shettima departs for Dakar to attend Senegal’s 65th Independence

    The vice president, Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.

    Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 annually, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960.

    The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades, and cultural events.

    This year’s celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Bassirou Faye hosting Vice-President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.

    Nkwocha explained that Shettima’s attendance at the event was in honour of an invitation extended to President Tinubu by Senegalese President Faye, based on the mutual relationship between both countries.

    He added that the vice president is expected to return to Nigeria on Friday after the one-day event. (NAN)

  • Hunger: Shettima urges private sector to upscale investment in Nigeria’s food system

    Hunger: Shettima urges private sector to upscale investment in Nigeria’s food system

    As hunger persists due to Nigeria’s lingering economic hardship, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged the private sector to upscale investments in the country’s food system on Friday.

    Shettima, the Chairman of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSC), made the call in a special address titled ‘Food Systems Transformation’ at the ‘Strategic Workshop on Agriculture and Food Security’ organized by PFSCU, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

    Represented by his Special Adviser, General Duties, Dr Aliyu Modibbo, he said the private sector needs to join forces with the Tinubu administration to change the narrative in the nation’s food system.

    He maintained that based on the efforts of the Tinubu-led administration, the food system in Nigeria is currently experiencing a paradigm shift based on the state of emergency declared on food production, including the $4.3 billion Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed in Brazil by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on the sidelines of the G20 in November 2024 to drive additional support in fertilizer production, hybrid seed production, and agricultural credit lines.

    The workshop had top players in the agricultural sector and other stakeholders in attendance.

    He said: “The private sector is and will remain the engine of economic growth in Nigeria’s systems. Your leadership in agribusiness is essential to transforming our food systems from subsistence to full-scale commercial agriculture.

    “Agriculture is our golden egg. The opportunities within production

    investment. Nigeria’s over 200 million consumers represent an untapped potential; our domestic market alone presents huge opportunities for return on the market that can drive substantial agribusiness profitability.

    “We recognize that a market-driven approach is the only sustainable

    pathway to achieving long-term food security. This is why our policies and programs are designed to support competitive, private-sector-led agricultural growth, ensuring farmers and agribusinesses can operate in an enabling environment that fosters innovation and growth.

    “Let me assure you that the government remains fully committed to addressing the food crisis head-on, ensuring that no Nigerian goes hungry, and leveraging the power of the private sector to build a resilient, market-driven food economy.

    “To this end, we encourage investment in climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming practices, and digital solutions that enhance resilience. The government is committed to working with you to deploy modern technologies that can optimise yields, reduce waste, and enhance productivity across the value chain.”

    Meanwhile, he expressed optimism that the private sector, based on collaboration, can unlock the full potential of the nation’s agricultural sector and ensure the food systems become inclusive and sustainable.

    “Let us seize this opportunity to build a prosperous, food-secure Nigeria, where agriculture is a cornerstone of our national development and a driver of economic prosperity,” he added.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, said the private sector could best drive food production.

    Kyari, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund, Ibrahim, said, “The Hourable Minister recognizes that agriculture in Nigeria cannot thrive without the full participation of the private sector.

    “The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that policies, incentives, and financing mechanisms enable private investments to flourish.

    “Through NADF, we are not just facilitating access to finance but also working to catalyze innovation, unlock new investment opportunities, and develop new agricultural ventures and ecosystems that are capable of accelerating the attainment of food security.

    “Since its inception, NADF has focused on addressing the long-standing financing challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Our mandate is clear: to bridge funding gaps, design financial products that work for the sector, and create mechanisms that attract both public and private capital for the development of the sector and its (broken) value chains.”

    The Executive Secretary of PFSCU, Marion Moon, in a presentation on PFSCU’s 2025 Prioritized Initiatives, pointed out that Nigeria needs 3.6 million metric tonnes of food for its population. How can we get this out to feed Nigerians? She said, “There are a couple of studies we have looked at. I think the latest one was done by AGRA, which showed we need reserves of almost 3.6 million metric tonnes for our population size.

    “So it is quite a lot, and I tell people, if that is what we need, farmers, that is also a market for you to grow for. We need this.

    “We are saying, looking at this year, 200,000, could we make sure we go from zero to 200,000 metric tonnes within our strategic grain reserves? Is that realistic? Is that possible? We need to make a decision on that and aim for that specific target. We have talked about early warning systems.

    The data shows that we should have declared that state of emergency earlier. So, where do these systems sit within the government?

    “I know WFP, as this development partner, issues a report, which is excellent, and we are thankful for that collaboration, but it is important that this is institutionalized within government.

    “We should also have this information for ourselves. So, we are looking at institutionalizing a system within the Office of the National Security Advisor that can then gather this information.

    “We need to increase our yields. Whether in crops, fisheries, or livestock, we need better output. You can do it by increasing maybe your land or your number of heads of cattle, but you can also increase it if you have the right genetics, seeds, and fingerlings. So, we want to look at focusing on genetics. Can we focus on making sure that we have the right seeds? And farmers can access higher yielding seeds, and not just have them.”

    On the sidelines of the workshop, the Executive Director, Uchenna Ogbonna, Ernest Shonekan Centre, NESG, said, “We need the private sector’s participation, and that is the only way we can achieve it because the government cannot produce all the food we need.

    “The government cannot run the agricultural companies; it has to be the private sector inclusive, and that is the only way we can achieve food security in Nigeria. With all we have, we have all the resources to produce enough food and feed the rest of Western Europe.

    “But right now, we don’t even have enough to feed ourselves because of our challenges in the agricultural sector.

    “That is why we need the private sector and the government to achieve this goal.”

  • Enugu tragedy: It’s time to end tanker explosions in Nigeria — Shettima

    Enugu tragedy: It’s time to end tanker explosions in Nigeria — Shettima

    THE Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has commiserated with the people and government of Enugu State over the fuel tanker fire, which claimed lives following an accident in the state.

    While reacting to the unfortunate incident, the Vice President said, it’s time to put an end to avoidable tanker accidents and explosions.

    The fuel tanker had on Saturday veered off course and burst into flames along the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    In a condolence message to families of those who lost their lives and the injured, the Vice President noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very concerned and disturbed by the incident and other tanker explosions in recent times.

    Senator Shettima in a statement issued by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, was quoted as saying: “It was with a heart full of sadness that I received news of the fuel tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Ugwu Onyeama local government area of Enugu State. I am deeply saddened that another tanker accident would lead to the loss of lives of Nigerians, leaving others injured in the gory incident.

    “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seriously worried by the frequency of these tanker explosion incidents on public roads and residential areas which are ordinarily avoidable. Just as he has directed the relevant agencies in his message of condolence on Sunday, I want to reassure Nigerians that the government will stop at nothing to put an end to tanker accidents on our roads.”

  • Shettima launches ‘Grand Challenges Nigeria’ to revolutionize healthcare with local solutions

    Shettima launches ‘Grand Challenges Nigeria’ to revolutionize healthcare with local solutions

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched ‘Grand Challenges Nigeria’ (GCNg), a national innovation programme aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s healthcare landscape through locally developed solutions.

    The initiative, which is part of the global Grand Challenges network, will focus on maternal and child health challenges in the first phase.

    Launching the initiative on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima  said to the audience that the initiative became necessary following an urgency occasioned by the rapid pace at which the world “is evolving in the realms of science and technology.” 
    He emphasized the importance of contextualizing solutions to national challenges, citing this as “a cardinal message” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, just as he said the initiative will promote groundbreaking research and build local expertise, among others.

    In a statement issued by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “This initiative is more than a response to problems; it is an avenue to promote groundbreaking research, build local expertise, form strategic partnerships, and engage communities in co-creating culturally relevant solutions,” Shettima said.

    He explained that the programme will integrate with existing government healthcare initiatives, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Nutrition 774 programme.

    “What Grand Challenges Nigeria promises is transformative: a Nigeria where every child has access to proper nutrition, where every family can rely on the quality of our healthcare system, and where our public health metrics continue to improve year after year,” Shettima noted.

    Call for proposals and global integration
    The Vice President also announced an immediate call for proposals on “Advancing Innovative Solutions for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, while explaining that the initiative will address various challenges, from infectious diseases to food security and climate resilience.

    “Our gateway to innovation is rooted in recognising our place within the global community,” he stated, adding that “we must believe that our progress is intertwined with the progress of the rest of the world.”

    Shettima emphasised that the Tinubu administration is “steadfast in its resolve to provide the support needed to turn our aspirations into lifelines for our people.”

    The Vice President expressed anticipation for witnessing the ingenuity of Nigeria’s best minds, “whose innovations will receive the funding and support they deserve through this initiative.”

    In his keynote remarks, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the Grand Challenges Nigeria is aimed at developing local solutions to critical issues confronting Nigerians.

    The Minister noted that the model aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda using innovation to drive prosperity and growth, and in the process, empowering researchers and innovators.

    Stakeholders endorse initiative
    Chief Nnaji said the ministry remains committed to fostering growth, using innovation, even as he assured that the Grand Challenges Nigeria will prioritise key goals investment in education and environmentally sustainable projects, among others.

    On his part, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor, commended the commitment of the Vice President and the dedication of the Federal Government to the launch of the initiative, noting that the programme would go a long way in complementing existing efforts in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria.
    He pledged the support of the House of Representatives for the Grand Challenges Nigeria framework, especially as it impacts food security and nutrition across the country, noting that he was looking forward to a rewarding collaboration with stakeholders to deliver on its vision.
    In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, said the responsibility of addressing the issues of malnutrition and food insecurity requires focused efforts and collective actions, which, according to him, the Grand Challenges Nigeria initiative is designed to contain.
    He expressed hope that by adopting the framework of the Grand Challenges Nigeria, Nigerians would be at the forefront of finding solutions to problems in the country, thanking the Federal Government for believing in the efficacy of the initiative.
    The chairman commended the leadership of the Vice President as chairman of the Nutrition Council of Nigeria and a key promoter of advancing nutrition and related agenda across the country.
    In the same vein, the President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Salisu Abubakar, commended the leadership demonstrated by the Vice President in the launch of the initiative, noting that it would help address health challenges by leveraging locally resourced and researched solutions/approaches.

    He pledged the support of the society in ensuring that solutions adopted through the programme are inclusive and adaptable to Nigerians, especially in improving their health and wellbeing.

  • Strong Abroad, Weak at Home?

    Strong Abroad, Weak at Home?

    President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, in their first 100 days in office, hold the record of the most travelled presidency since 1999. The President’s first trip abroad was to France to participate in the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. Next was attending the ECOWAS summit in Guinea Bissau, then the AU meeting in Kenya and the G-20 Summit in India quickly followed. His biggest on the global stage is the UN General Assembly (UNGA) last week in New York.

    These exclude stopover in Benin Republic, London and the UAE. Vice President Kashim Shettima, on his part, has represented the President in Italy, Russia and at the G77 Summit in Cuba.

    Some diplomacy scholars have described the President’s diplomatic shuttle as regenerating economic growth through foreign policy.

    A common theme in the President’s many foreign trips is the search for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), re-establishing Nigeria as the premium economic powerhouse in Africa and situating her regional leadership status across the sub-Saharan region.

    Historically, this would not be Nigeria’s first attempt to weave her foreign policy around economic diplomacy. General Ike Nwachukwu, as IBB’s Foreign Minister, introduced economic diplomacy as a conscious policy. It simply meant that Nigeria’s economic interests would guide her external affairs. That interest emphasized Afrocentric self-reliance.

    The success or failure of the current economic diplomacy is left for political economists to decipher. However, this new government is wittingly or unwittingly being bullish internationally and weaving Nigeria’s socio-economic renaissance on her regional relevance and soft power in dealing with subregional problems like the coups in the West African region and beyond. It is also a collaboration with global powers and global private capital to direct investments to Nigeria.

    The President is eager to show the world that Nigeria is ready and open for business and the new government is a significant driver in facilitating and enabling such businesses.

    Nigerians are divided about the value of these global engagements and diplomatic shuttles. Two schools of thought have emerged. First, those who believe our economic growth can only be strengthened by solid external relations. Especially one that prioritizes attracting foreign capital to build up our capital base.

    The second school believes that the frequency of travel is unacceptable as economic diplomacy as the mainstay of our economic plans is short-sighted. This school believe the country should tackle foundational issues such as insecurity, decrepit infrastructure, poor governance and inefficient institutions before inviting foreign investors.

    Both schools have some merit in their arguments. A critical review of these two schools reveals they are not as dichotomous and polarized as they may seem at first.

    They are part of a two-pod solution to the economic regeneration of Nigeria. A comprehensive economic plan that combines economic diplomacy’s merits, revitalizes domestic structural and economic systems by tackling fundamental local problems is needed and must be implemented efficiently. There is no chicken-and-egg situation here.

    One must not do one before the other sequentially. Instead, economic diplomacy can be woven together with domestic improvements so that both work together and reify each other to produce more remarkable results.

    I advocate a multi-prong approach to bringing about growth in Nigeria. However, we must synchronize these approaches so they are not counterproductive.

    Thus far, it is established that Nigeria, under President Tinubu, intentionally or unintentionally, is changing the focus of her foreign policy to an economic growth-led policy. Therefore, the government must match its extensive travels with articulating an overarching economic agenda showing a direction. Only such an agenda can drive this new economy-centric foreign policy regime.

    The second established issue is the need to address institutional, infrastructural and socio-economic barriers that can stop us from realizing the benefits of economic diplomacy. Indeed, the obstacles are mountainous.

    The recent disruptions in the domestic economy need to be fixed quickly with a balance of structural economic innovation and social responsibility at home. Human behaviour drives the economy. Our perception shapes our actions and inactions.

    Therefore, this government must quickly work to change the current dominant perception of a collapsing economy to that of a growing one. This will improve confidence in the system and provide the backbone for growth.

    The message of economic reform must showcase something new on offer from Nigeria. Otherwise, we will have only executive air miles to show at the end. Global capital goes where there are clear opportunities that are unencumbered. These opportunities must exist in a context of manageable risk and good returns on investment.

    The Tinubu Administration is gradually providing the enabling environment for FDI when it pledged to allow companies to repatriate revenue through an open and robust exchange system. We advocate that despite the temporary pain of these economic reforms, the government must sanitize the system and make it fit for purpose to attract investments both locally and abroad.

    The phrase “strong abroad, weak at home” typifies the common sentiment expressed by observers of Nigerian politics and governance. It reflects the perception that Nigeria tends to perform better internationally than it does in addressing her domestic challenges.

    This perception creates bias immediately. When Nigerians feel that a government is bullish internationally, the assumption is that the government will neglect domestic needs. Nigeria faces numerous domestic challenges.

    These challenges include political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, a struggling healthcare system, a poorly performing education system, high poverty levels, unemployment and insecurity.

    These issues have hindered the country’s socio-economic development and the well-being of citizens. The government must prioritise these issues as Nigeria strives to convince the world to come and do business with us.

    Furthermore, this Nigerian leadership must address the perceived hypocrisy of Nigerian leaders. What we say to foreign investors differs from what we do at home.

    The policy environment (fiscal/monetary) could be more stable yet often out of sync with global best practices. The Nigerian factor makes most policies difficult to implement and impunity reigns supreme. The integrity of actors, actions and processes is sine qua non with the trust deficit inherent in the Nigerian business environment. This we must urgently address and Nigeria’s leadership must imbibe and exemplify this.

    We must never forget that nothing is permanent. Our regional and continental position is often under threat. Knowingly or unknowingly, in our quest to attract FDI we are in competition with other emerging political and economic powerhouses in the sub-region and continent. Therefore, we must strive to maintain our dominance and influence by strengthening our political base and growing our economy.

    Our leadership on the continent and beyond Africa is non-negotiable. We often play a significant role in international organisations such as the United Nations, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). We contribute troops to peace-keeping missions and participate in global diplomatic efforts.

    We are proponents and defenders of freedom and democracy on the continent. We are pan-African and lead in initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTFAA).

    Our diaspora is also known for their lofty accomplishments in fields including medicine, technology, and business. We must maintain and build on these strengths.

    The government must rejig the system to improve institutional efficiency and close the governance gap. It should conduct reforms on ease of doing business, administration of justice, protection of local industries, taxation and ease of capital repatriation.

    The government must not be seen talking the talk and not working the work. We should remember that the worst thing that can be done to a wrong product is to advertise it.

    You will inadvertently kill the product. We must put our house in order and present value and clear opportunities to the world to do business with us. Nigerian challenges are complex. Opinions also vary on the extent to which Nigeria is strong abroad but weak at home. Some argue that Nigeria’s international role does not necessarily translate to concrete benefits for her citizens.

    Others believe that the country’s international engagements are essential for her global influence and economic well-being. However, only an alignment between our homegrown economic agenda, structural reforms and foreign policy can provide a message of economic renaissance that the Administration carries on its extensive foreign travels. A travelling salesperson must carefully brand and package his wares.