…..As Tinubu departs for summit in India
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Presidency has disclosed that the decision as to whether Nigeria will become a member of G-20 will made once consultations are concluded, at the upcoming G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday to attend theSummit, on the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
According to the statement, on the sidelines of the Summit, the President will participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference.
“The CEO Roundtable will be attended by leading industrialists in the Indian private sector, Nigerian industrialists, as well as senior government officials from both countries. The President aims to leverage this platform to attract global capital and promote increased foreign direct investments in key labour-intensive sectors of Nigeria’s economy for job creation and revenue expansion”, Ngelare said.
The Presidential spokesman said that Tinubu will use the opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically outlining his cross-sectoral reform plan as encapsulated by the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Given the President’s renowned experience in attracting investment to Lagos State, leading industrialists have sought separate private engagements with him at the summit.
“The President’s itinerary will also feature bilateral meetings with a cross-section of world leaders from four different continents, representing both G-20 and non–G20 countries. These engagements are geared towards strengthening bilateral economic, trade, and investment partnerships for mutual benefit”, he said.
The Presidential Spokesman said at the G20 Summit, President Tinubu is expected to share Nigeria’s perspective on the theme, “One Earth-One Family-One Future,” which speaks to the global unity required to address the challenges facing humanity and the planet.
“With its collective contribution of up to 80% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and housing 60% of the world’s population, the G-20 constitutes a significant economic power bloc of socio-economic opportunity and geo-political stability.
“While Nigeria’s membership of the G-20 is desirable, the government has embarked on wide-ranging consultations with a view to ascertaining the benefits and risks of membership.
“This is consistent with the desire of the President to democratize foreign policy and articulate policy formulation and implementation through a Whole-of-Society and a Whole-of-Government approach that achieves the nation’s long-term strategic objectives.
“Once consultations are concluded, the government will decide whether or not to apply to join as appropriate. The participation of President Tinubu at the G-20 Summit in India is, in part, in furtherance of this objective”, he said.
President Tinubu will be be accompanied the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Wale Edun, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; Dr. Bosun Tijani, and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
President Tinubu will return to Nigeria on the conclusion of the Summit.