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Courageous Steps by Tinubu in making Nigeria a destination of choice for investors , says Edun

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to steer the economy in the right direction has propelled Nigeria to become the destination of choice for most investors.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun made this known yesterday at a press briefing in Marrakech, Morocco.
Highlighting Nigeria’s current investment climate and the opportunities available for foreign and domestic investors, the finance minister said Nigeria has taken bold, courageous steps to improve its economy and is now a prime destination for investment.
Edun acknowledged that more work is needed but believes that Nigeria is on the right path towards economic recovery, job creation, and inclusivity for women and young people.
He insisted that the opportunity being presented is not only to showcase what Nigeria has done but to also allow people to gain a better understanding of the progress that has been made.
The Minister noted that some countries now see Nigeria’s progress as an inspiration but lack the courage to take similar steps.
According to him, “regarding the opportunity to attract investment, there have been many conversations and in all honesty the narrative is that with the bold courageous steps that Nigeria has taken, we are now at the forefront almost number one on people’s list when they want to look at where to invest, that is now the narrative.
“There is more to be done but Nigeria is definitely on the right path, taking the right decisions for the economy to recover and for it to attract foreign direct investment as well as domestic investment in other to recover true economic growth, job creation and at the same time achieve inclusivity of women and young people.”
The finance minister added that “the opportunity we have had, not so much to stand in front of people and showcase but that they get the opportunity within this environment to understand even more clearly what has been done and the truth is there are some countries here that say that ‘these are steps we would like to take but they do not believe they have essentially the courage to do it’.
With regards to debt restructuring, the finance minister said the goal is to improve or modify the terms of the debt so that the borrower can better meet their obligations.
Edun agreed that waiting to restructure debt is not always the best approach but instead suggested being proactive and looking for opportunities to improve the conditions under which the debt was borrowed.
However, he pointed out that given the current global economic climate, debt is becoming less affordable due to high interest rates.
He noted that, if a borrower has access to cheap financing, they should take advantage of it as long as they are comfortably servicing the debt.
In situations where a borrower can afford to do so, they should try to pay down debt in order to avoid it becoming a burden.
Speaking about more government borrowing but this time from the Central Bank, the finance minister underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, rule of law, and a responsible approach to managing government finances, particularly in the context of borrowing from the central bank.
According to him, one of President Tinubu’s key priorities is to adhere to the legal framework and regulations already in place and this, the minister explained, extends to the President’s commitment to staying within the limits for “Ways and Means”.
Edun emphasized that President Tinubu is aware of the importance of fiscal responsibility, even though he may resort to overdraft borrowing, “his goal is to ensure that the government doesn’t exceed the statutory limits set for such borrowing.
Moreover, the minister said that there has been a realization of the need to reduce the reliance on borrowing from the central bank, which might have been excessive or appeared to be spiraling out of control in the past.
On the talks with the World Bank on $1.5 billion budget support, the minister confirmed that Nigeria was in talks with the World Bank to access the facility.
According to Wale Edun, “it has free money through IDA International Development Association. It is for the poorer countries and right now I think we qualify as one of the countries that can borrow in the normal window of World Bank funding but also some concessionary IDA funding and that means that effectively the interest rate will be zero.
“So, therefore, there is no stigma attached to qualifying for World Bank funding to help finance development. In this particular case, it has long been in the pipeline, and we are hoping that the funding will come through soon.
“A lot of hard work is being done. There is a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, that should be able to discuss this, as well as other initiatives for financing on reasonable terms. We have talked about the high costs of money, the World Bank money is the cheapest”.
Speaking on the current level of hardship Nigerians are going through as a result of putting an end to subsidy on fuel and exchange rate unification, the finance minister said “these are painful reforms and Mr. President is a man of empathy who promised not to leave the vulnerable and poor behind.
“As you know there is a set of interventions being rolled out which, day by day, should improve things. More food has been grown, fertilizers are being released, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transport is the order of the day, while the government buses, conversion kits are on the way, there is take-up of that initiative by the private sector.
“So day by day we are moving closer to affordable and even cleaner energy simply because the price of petroleum products has been put where it really stands rather than having cheap fuel which is below the market price and below its value. Now you are seeing the right value and that is making the move to cleaner and finer energy.
He also added that one of the benefits of some of the measures taken, “is the fact that there has been a 30 per cent reduction in smuggling of petroleum products across the border, I think is a major achievement of that all important step to remove fuel subsidy.
Meanwhile, the Minister has been appointed as the Chairman of the African Governors’ Forum of the World Bank.
The African Governors’ Forum is a platform for African finance ministers and central bank governors to engage with the World Bank on issues of mutual interest.
The African Caucus was established in 1963 to strengthen the voice of African Governors.
A statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, said that this marks the first time Nigeria has assumed the role of Chairman in 60 years.
It said: “World Bank Appointment: Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Wale Edun has been appointed to Chair the African Governors’ Forum of the World Bank.
“This marks the first time Nigeria has assumed the role of Chairman in 60 years.
‘’The appointment presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria and the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.’’
According to the IMF’s guiding principles for the caucus, the forum’s Chairman is determined by rotation based on the alphabetical order of African countries.
This system ensures that each country takes its turn to lead the group, preventing one nation from chairing the forum twice while others have yet to assume the role.
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Tinubu commended Nandap for her leadership, extends Comptroller-General tenure till 2026, says Onanuga

President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, until December 31, 2026.
Nandap, who joined the NIS on October 9, 1989, was appointed as Comptroller-General on March 1, 2024, with an initial tenure set to end on August 31, 2025.
A statement by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said for her leadership, noting improvements in border management, immigration modernisation, and national security under her watch.
“Under her leadership, the Nigeria Immigration Service has witnessed significant advancements in its core mandate, with notable improvements in border management, modernisation of immigration processes and national security measures.
“President Tinubu commended the Comptroller-General for her exemplary leadership and urged her to continue dedicating herself to the Service’s strategic priorities, which align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement read.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the NIS in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and ensuring safe and legal migration.
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Update : Fubara ordered bombing of Rivers Assembly, I am not under duress I resigned, Says ex-Rivers HoS Nwaeke

• Says suspended gov plotted Tinubu’s downfall through pipeline bombings
• ‘Fubara ordered Ehie to pull down Assembly to avert impeachment’
• Nwaeke links Bala Mohammed to sinister plot against President
• Says emergency saved Rivers, Nigeria from major disaster
The immediate past Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, yesterday gave what appears to be yet the most revealing insider’s account of some of the events that culminated in the March 18 suspension of Governor Siminilayi Fubara and the state Assembly for six months.
Nwaeke, who claimed to have been an eyewitness to some of the actions taken by Fubara, spoke of how the suspended governor allegedly plotted the destruction of the State House of Assembly and economic sabotage to ensure the downfall of President Bola Tinubu.
Nwaeke, in a video press conference and a statement, claimed that Fubara masterminded the bombing of the state House of Assembly, using his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
Nwaeke was appointed as head of service by Fubara.
He said he was prompted to set the records straight following “the loads of misinformation on print and electronic media.”
He said he was not sacked neither or pressured to resign but resigned “willingly from the depth of my heart.”
He said: ”However, as an insider and a key player in this administration by my position, who worked closely with Siminilayi Fubara, it will be unfair for me to keep silent or not to address some key factors that has affected or will affect our state if we continue on this trajectory.”
He thanked the President for “a swift intervention in Rivers State crisis, especially on the state of emergency that was declared and assented to by the National Assembly.”
He added: “You will recall that when the governor was suspended, as the head of service, I was the next in command. So I am not speaking from outside, I am speaking as an insider.
“If not for the intervention of Mr. President, Nigeria would have faced the worst economic sabotage and Rivers State would have been up in flames.
“First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly where the Governor, Siminilayi Fubara, directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the assembly in a way to avert his impeachment.
“That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke. I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside.
“I want to tell Rivers people today that the House of Assembly complex in Moscow Road was clearly brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminilayi Fubara, I challenge him to an open confrontation and I will throw more light on it.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I know the power of a sitting governor and he knew that I am aware of the whole plan and that I am discomforted with the unconscionable act and deliberate posture of innocence and mien of a sheep.”
He also alleged that another attempt was made to “destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members.”
Continuing, he said: “If not for the press conference that was held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I came to realise that they actually wanted to demolish that second building, because after some weeks, he personally told me that if he knew early, he would have gone to pull down their hall before visiting the residential quarters of the assembly, and that he didn’t actually know that they had such a beautiful hall where they are using now for their sitting.
“I was shocked and I asked myself how could a man that wants to lead his people be destroying his state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight.”
Nwaeke appealed to critics of the declaration of emergency rule by President Tinubu to retract their statements, saying without the urgent intervention, a lot of things would have gone wrong in the state.
Such critics, according to him, ”are only seeing the surface. If the President did not take proactive step, no one knows who would have been affected by the sinister plans that were cooking.”
He asked the President “not to give up on Rivers State affairs because a lot is going on there with Governor Fubara.”
He said one of the factors that “got me removed was when Governor Fubara told me that they would use the Ijaw to decide who would become the next president of Nigeria, and I asked him how will that work? Is it by votes or by what means?”
On alleged plan to shoot down the second term of President Tinubu, Nwaeke said: “He clearly told me that he is the chief security officer of Rivers State and his brother is in charge of Bayelsa State, and all the pipelines are under their care; that at the appropriate time, they would tell the boys what to do, and fund was not an issue.
“That was why when he made that statement in his public function that “I will tell the boys what to do at the appropriate time” I knew something was up and perhaps the time was near.
“He boasted to be the ‘David that will bring down the Goliath of Rivers State.’ That he has the backing of the cream-de-la cream in the state.
“The plan was to start from non-Ijaw speaking areas to destroy oil facilities to remove attention from the Ijaw and make it have a statewide look. The Ogoni, Oyibo, Ahoda areas were to be bombed first before the Ijaw zones. This would have brought down the government of President Tinubu and usher in a new President from the coalition of political parties with a Vice President from the Ijaw.
“The media was to be captured by paying heavily for airtime and retaining the social media influencers and known social critics on their payroll.
“I am not unaware of what this revelation means, but I am doing this to free my conscience and warn those innocent persons that are used to sway public sentiment that there is more than meets the eye in the Rivers matter.
“Sometimes I slept over in Government House. But I started being uncomfortable when Governor Bala Mohammed and some other stakeholders started nocturnal visits to Rivers State.
“I recall after one of such visits he told me that he would support Bala Mohammed or any other northerner for president; that discussions were ongoing.
“Although I was not bothered about whom he supports, I was more concerned about the quantum of state resources that he releases to these visitors at each visit.”
Nwaeke asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to call their Rivers labour leaders to order to avoid politicising labour in the state.
He said he was privy to several private meetings between the governor and labour leaders in the state and the largesse that accompanied each meeting to compromise the Labour Union.
“More worrisome is several meetings between the governor, his chief of staff and some militant leaders. The details of which meetings I was not privy to since I was not allowed into the meetings.
“However, each meeting ended with huge sums of money paid to attendees.”
He said Rivers people and the generality of Nigerians are “the beneficiary of the declaration of state of emergency rule in Rivers State and not Governor Fubara or Minister Wike.”
He stressed the need for the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to “step up his guards and be very vigilant, because I am aware of the sinister arrangement and dastardly plans to continue to hatch their plans if not put in check.”
He said: “This accounts for the organised media condemnations and seeming public outcry against Mr. President and National Assembly.
“Those who love democracy and humanity will always protect humanity and democracy. Mr. President, you have just protected democracy and humanity in Rivers State. I can now sleep with my conscience clear.”
Wike slams NBA for ‘hypocrisy’ on state of emergency
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday faulted the Nigeria Bar Association’s (NBA) stance that the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu was unconstitutional and illegal.
Wike alleged that the NBA discredited Tinubu’s decision because the Rivers Government had promised to host its annual general conference.
The minister stated this when officials of the Body of Benchers, led by its Chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), visited him in Abuja.
He added that the association did not support the declaration of the state of emergency because there would be no money to give to the NBA for the conference.
“What kind of hypocrisy is this?” he queried.
The minister called on the Body of Benchers to call the NBA to order over the association’s unnecessary criticism of the judiciary.
He said that the body should not sit and watch, while the NBA and its members destroy the legal profession.
He said that some of the members of NBA, often without reading a judgement, go on national television to condemn the judgment and criticise the judges.
He said that such actions have continued with no sanction.
“If you don’t discipline somebody, nobody will learn any lesson.
“We shall no longer allow our profession to be pulled down. I cannot believe, as a lawyer, that you make a contribution to help the legal profession, and you will be criticised by your fellow lawyers.
“Sir, time has come that we need to say look, enough is enough. We cannot continue to discourage our judges and justices. It is not done anywhere.
“I have never seen where members of a profession are the ones that are bent on bringing the profession down,” he said.
The minister also accused the NBA of describing any support rendered by the executive arm of government to the judicial arm as a bribe.
Wike recalled that when NBA was building its National Secretariat, the leadership wrote to the executive for support, adding that nobody saw that as a bribe.
“I was the only one who contributed to the NBA to build the National Secretariat. The NBA didn’t see it as a bribe.
“When you contribute to the Body of Benchers, it is a bribe, but when you contribute to NBA, it is not a bribe, they will take it.
“The same NBA will rely on state governments to sponsor their activities, but when the state government supports the judiciary it is bribery,” he added.
Wike said that the constant taunting of judges and justices had made them to avoid attending social gatherings or going to church or mosque for fear of molestation.
He added that judges could no longer shake people’s hands freely because lawyers would accuse them of collecting bribes.
“It has gotten to the stage that our Judges are so scared of going to a mosque or church or even greeting somebody they know because of fear of bribery.
“They run away from shaking people’s hands because they will start accusing them of collecting bride. This must stop,” he said
The immediate past Rivers Head of Service, George Nwaeke, has denied claims by his wife, Florence, that he was kidnapped and under duress.
Nwaeke, who recently released chilling allegations against suspended Governor Siminalayi, said contrary to his wife’s emotional outbursts, he was safe in Abuja.
He disclosed that he went to Abuja to voluntarily report himself to security agencies over the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.
The former HoS spoke in a trending video released early hours of Saturday.
He insisted thatwife’s claim was false and suggested that she had been misled and given a script to read.
He said: “I am in Transcorp Abuja. I arrived this morning from Port Harcourt to meet security agencies and report myself, as well as the troubling events happening in Rivers State. I resigned as Head of Service on Monday because of these developments”.
Addressing his wife, he said: “I just saw a video of my wife trending. She was told I had been kidnapped and given a script to read. I want to make it clear—I am not kidnapped. I am in Abuja, working.
“When I was Head of Service, my wife was not involved in my official duties. That script she read is null and void. I am safe and sound. I will report myself to the appropriate security agencies because Abuja houses their headquarters, and I feel safer making my report here.”
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Opeifa Kicks off Railways Revitalization Initiatives, Assures of Improved Services

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has commenced preparation for the upcoming developmental and revitalization initiatives of the Corporation ,assuring Nigerians of the readiness to serve them better, as he embarked on the tour of the districts under the NRC.
He stated this at the Iddo Train Station as part of his tour of the Railways Districts guaranteeing train passengers, commuting daily from Ijoko and other border communities in Ogun State to Iddo and Idumota axis of the Lagos Island, that the Corporation will revive the 2pm mass transit train service (MTTS) in line with their demands.
The District Manager, Engr Augustine Arisa and District Superintendent Mrs Chidinma Mba, also informed the MD that the prosperity of the Idumota market is also related to the operations of the MTT line as any day the train does not run, the market feels it.
“NRC management being aware of the centrality of the MTT Kajola to Iddo rail line to the continued prosperity of the Iddo, Idumota and some other big markets in Lagos will not only continue to sustain the line, but work to add addition service after careful commercial market viability and sustainability studies”, Opeifa said.
According to him, the transformation of the Iddo Terminal is central to the corporation’s goal to significantly improve the terminal’s infrastructure, optimize its capacity and elevate the passenger experience
He also assured that the management would urgently embark on the rehabilitation of the coaches to improve the ambience of the interior of the trains and the Iddo stations for better customer experience and patronage.
Opeifa said he would not hesitate to terminate the contract of any contractor not willing or ready to add value to the corporation’s service.
The Managing Director who spent some time going round the Iddo Station, also directed the installation of solar panels around the station to better improve the lightening condition, even as he sent the signal that a comprehensive review of all land leases around the station is underway.
Opeifa was nostalgic about the several interesting monuments and railway relics, called on corporate organisations and other philanthropists, to support the corporation in the area of provision of conveniences for train passengers as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The NRC Managing Director had earlier commenced his maiden tour of the NRC districts across the country, with a tour to the Running Shed of the corporation at Ebute Metta, which he learnt was a hub to other districts.
He expressed delight at the industry of iron men (women engineers and technicians) working in the corporation who are competing with their male counterparts in ensuring that all the nation’s rolling assets are in serviceable conditions.
The tour took him to the store. Opeifa directed that the management must commence the painting of several legacy buildings of the corporation across the country. He added that the corporation is determined to improve its image as a frontline mobility service provider and the hub for logistics services in the country.
Opeifa who observed that there are no scraps in the railway, reiterated earlier calls on Nigerians to beware of anyone vandalizing the rail materials across the country, adding that security agencies especially the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been directed to prosecute anyone caught vandalizing any rail assets.
He said the corporation would put back to shape as many narrow gauge locomotives still serviceable and would deploy them across the country to serve passenger traffic anywhere it had existing train lines, just as the federal government aggressively continue to invest and expand the national standard gauge corridor.
The tour also took the Managing Director to the Battery Room, as well as the laboratory, an inspection of all the mechanical fluids which was a crucial facility responsible for analyzing the quality and integrity of mechanical fluids used in NRC rail operations.
He assured the laboratory that the management under his watch would continue to support their growth and development as he himself trained and once worked as an Analytical chemist.
The tour also took Opeifa to Agege Station where he had a closed door meeting with officials from the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), led by the Director Rail Services Engr Olasunkanmi Okusaga, on how to firm up security challenges between the two stations Babatunde Raji Fashola Station and the Lagos State Train Station at Agege Station.
Opeifa who was led round by the Agege Station Manager Mrs Ese Asowata, went round to check the Station’s conveniences, the VIP Lounge, the control room, the ticketing lounge and administrative sections among others.
The Managing Director took time to address the concerns of some train passengers, one of them, Olatunde Apata, who complained of what could be done for any passenger who missed his train. Apata, who was heading to the Prof. Wole Soyinka Station, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, had missed his train because he went to pray.
Addressing all challenges, Opeifa directed that under no circumstances should the ticket not work to relief passengers with disability access the train. He equally said efforts are being made to see how the issue of those missing their train would be addressed even as he disclosed that the NRC and LAMATA are working at how to ensure passengers could co-switch and access the metro train to continue their journey from the stations.
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