Category: Business

  • Kenya hosts regional mission on port security, safety of navigation

    Kenya hosts regional mission on port security, safety of navigation

    NAIROBI, Kenya (Agency Report) — Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on maritime security and safety of navigation as an international delegation begins a five-day country mission on the development of a regional policy for port security and safety of navigation.

    The delegation undertaking the Regional Policy on Port Security and Safety of Navigation in the Eastern Africa-Southern Africa-Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) region paid a courtesy call on the Principal Secretary, State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Aden Abdi Millah, in Nairobi on Monday.

    The delegation is led by Dr Michele Stallone, Regional Coordinator of the EU-funded Port Safety Programme (PSP), alongside William Azuh, Marine and Port Operations Expert, and Mourad Ghorbel, Maritime Information Systems Network Expert.

    Welcoming the delegation, Millah said Kenya was pleased to participate in an initiative aimed at strengthening the region’s collective capacity to secure ports, enhance navigation safety and improve cooperation among maritime and security agencies.

    He said maritime security and safety of navigation were shared regional responsibilities requiring stronger coordination, information exchange and effective systems and policies.

    “Kenya welcomes this mission and the opportunity it provides to share our experiences, identify areas requiring further strengthening, and contribute to the development of a regional policy that responds to the realities and priorities of countries in the EA-SA-IO region,” he said.

    Millah said Kenya’s ports and maritime corridors played a significant role in regional and international trade, making port security, safe navigation and effective maritime information management important components of the country’s economic and national security framework.

    He said the consultations would enable Kenya to present its existing legal, institutional, technical and human-resource capacities while identifying areas where regional collaboration could have greater impact.

    The Principal Secretary also stressed the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, noting that effective maritime security required close collaboration among port authorities, maritime regulators, security agencies, customs, environmental agencies and other stakeholders.

    The mission, which runs from September 28 to October 2, 2026, will take place in Nairobi and Mombasa. It will assess Kenya’s legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional arrangements, human-resource capacities and technical capabilities relating to port security and safety of navigation for consideration in the proposed regional policy.

    The delegation will engage key Kenyan maritime, security, customs and environmental institutions, including the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Defence Forces/Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard Service and National Environment Management Authority.

    The consultations are expected to provide the delegation with views from national institutions, an assessment of existing capacities and opportunities to strengthen coordination, information sharing, maritime data management and safety of navigation.

    The regional policy is being developed under the EU-funded Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme, coordinated by the Indian Ocean Commission.

    The programme seeks to strengthen maritime security and safety of navigation across the EA-SA-IO region through enhanced national capacities, improved port security frameworks and stronger mechanisms for information exchange.

    According to the Indian Ocean Commission, the policy development process is expected to support a common regional approach to port security and safety of navigation, including cooperation on maritime information systems and the exchange of cargo and passenger information.

    The initiative comes as countries in the region seek to strengthen maritime security cooperation in response to interconnected challenges affecting ports and shipping corridors.

    The proposed regional policy is expected to provide a framework for strengthened port security, safer navigation, enhanced inter-agency coordination, regional information sharing and improved maritime data systems.

    The mission will culminate in a National Consultation Workshop in Mombasa on October 2, where stakeholders will review and validate preliminary findings from the country assessment.

    The workshop will also provide an opportunity to identify national priorities, highlight existing gaps and propose recommendations for consideration in the final regional policy.

    Millah said the consultations would help ensure that Kenya’s experiences and priorities were reflected in a regional framework supporting secure ports, efficient shipping and safe navigation while strengthening cooperation among countries sharing the Western Indian Ocean maritime space.

    He said Kenya remained committed to working with regional and international partners to promote a secure, safe and well-coordinated maritime environment.

    The Principal Secretary added that the government would continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving maritime information sharing and promoting regional cooperation, noting that a stronger maritime security architecture would contribute to shipping, trade and the wider blue economy.

    The mission forms part of wider regional efforts to consolidate gains made through the Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme and establish a sustainable policy framework for future cooperation.

    -KNA

  • Tinubu: NCGC guarantees unlock N46.95bn in loans for businesses

    Tinubu: NCGC guarantees unlock N46.95bn in loans for businesses

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) has issued ₦21.59 billion in guarantees, helping participating financial institutions extend ₦46.95 billion in loans to businesses and borrowers.

    Tinubu, in a statement on Monday, said the NCGC was established to address one of the major barriers to business financing by sharing part of the lending risk with participating financial institutions.

    He said the arrangement gives lenders greater confidence to extend credit to viable businesses and borrowers who may otherwise struggle to secure loans because of limited collateral or lack of credit history.

    “When I sought your mandate, I promised to move Nigeria towards a credit-based economy and to establish a loan guarantee scheme that would help small businesses overcome the barriers that keep them from finance,” Tinubu said.

    The president said the NCGC currently works with 19 financial institutions comprising 13 commercial banks, three microfinance banks and three development finance institutions.

    “One year into operations, we can see what that model is doing,” he said.

    Tinubu said every ₦1 in guarantees had helped unlock about ₦2.17 in credit, with 67,512 borrowers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory receiving NCGC-backed credit.

    He added that 11,374 of the beneficiaries were women, while 33.5 per cent were first-time formal borrowers.

    “For more than 22,000 Nigerians, this is their first entry into the formal credit system. They now have a credit record they can build. Each successful repayment strengthens that record and can make the next loan easier to secure,” he said.

    According to the president, the businesses supported through the scheme account for an estimated 661,291 direct and indirect jobs.

    Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through shared production facilities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He said the Federal Government was investing in shared MSME hubs through its National MSME Clinics to provide entrepreneurs with access to modern equipment, reliable power and production facilities without requiring them to bear the full cost individually.

    “Today, 21 shared facilities across 19 states and the FCT are supporting businesses and an estimated 650,000 jobs,” he said.

    Tinubu said the initiative was aimed at addressing the infrastructure and equipment constraints that often prevent small businesses from expanding.

    “A tailor should not need millions of naira to buy industrial machinery before she can grow her business. A food processor should not have to build a factory before producing at scale,” he said.

    The president said Nigerians had the ideas, skills and ambition to build successful businesses but often lacked access to the tools and infrastructure required to turn those capabilities into sustainable enterprises.

    He said the government’s responsibility was to remove such barriers so that businesses could increase production, reduce costs, become more competitive and create employment.

    Tinubu also cited other credit-related initiatives, including the Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Bank of Industry and the Development Bank of Nigeria.

    He said CREDICORP provides consumer credit to working Nigerians, while NELFUND supports student financing and the Bank of Industry and Development Bank of Nigeria continue to provide financing to businesses.

    “Credit matters because of what people can do with it. A trader can restock before the festive season. When a manufacturer takes a bigger order and buys another machine to fill it, another Nigerian gets a job,” Tinubu said.

    He said the government would continue to expand access to credit so that more Nigerians and businesses could benefit from the opportunities created by its economic reforms.

    “We will keep widening that road until the opportunities our reforms create reach homes and businesses in every part of Nigeria,” he said.

  • Nvidia approves record $150bn share buyback as AI competition pressures stock

    Nvidia approves record $150bn share buyback as AI competition pressures stock

    SAN FRANCISCO, United States (NPA) — Nvidia has authorised an additional $150 billion for share buybacks, its largest-ever repurchase approval, as the artificial intelligence chipmaker seeks to support shareholder value amid intensifying competition and concerns over the sustainability of the AI spending boom.

    The latest authorisation takes Nvidia’s available share repurchase capacity to $235 billion, which the company expects to deploy through fiscal 2028.

    The move surpasses Apple’s $110 billion share buyback authorisation in 2024, making Nvidia’s latest programme the largest such approval by a US company.

    Nvidia shares rose more than 2% following the announcement.

    Despite its dominance of the AI-chip market, Nvidia’s shares have gained just over 20% this year through Friday, broadly matching the Nasdaq 100 but significantly trailing rivals Advanced Micro Devices and Intel.

    AMD’s shares have more than doubled over the period, while Intel has gained more than threefold.

    Investors question AI spending boom

    The buyback comes as investors increasingly scrutinise the enormous capital spending by technology companies on artificial intelligence infrastructure.

    Nvidia has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI investment cycle, with demand for its high-performance processors generating substantial revenue and cash.

    However, concerns have grown over whether technology companies can maintain their current pace of spending on AI infrastructure and whether the resulting returns will justify the investment.

    Analysts said Nvidia’s decision to return more capital to shareholders reflects confidence in the durability of demand while acknowledging that the current pace of AI infrastructure expansion may not continue indefinitely.

    “The AI buildout won’t continue at its current pace forever, but Nvidia is signalling confidence that demand for its hardware and services has staying power,” said Jacob Bourne, an analyst at Emarketer.

    He said Nvidia’s strong cash generation currently gives it room to continue investing heavily in its business while also returning capital to shareholders.

    Valuation comes under pressure

    Nvidia was trading at about 16.5 times its 12-month forward earnings, according to LSEG data, its lowest forward earnings multiple since January 2015 and well below its 15-year average of about 30.

    The decline in the valuation multiple reflects growing expectations that the company’s exceptional profit growth could moderate as competition in AI chips intensifies and customers reassess the scale of their infrastructure investments.

    Ben Barringer, head of technology research at Quilter Cheviot, said Nvidia’s buyback strategy resembles Apple’s use of share repurchases to support its stock during periods when growth slows and valuation multiples come under pressure.

    Nvidia has nonetheless maintained an aggressive growth outlook.

    Last month, the company forecast about 70% revenue growth for fiscal 2028, providing investors with further confidence that demand for AI computing infrastructure could remain strong despite questions about the longevity of the current spending cycle.

    Massive capital return

    The scale of Nvidia’s latest buyback authorisation underscores the extraordinary cash generation produced by the AI boom.

    The additional $150 billion is larger than the market value of roughly 84% of companies in the S&P 500, according to LSEG data.

    Nvidia ended its July quarter with $22.44 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The company had previously announced an $80 billion share repurchase programme in May.

    Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said the company’s cash generation gives it the financial capacity to continue investing in technologies driving the AI transformation while also returning capital to shareholders.

    The latest buyback signals that Nvidia intends to use its substantial cash flows for two purposes simultaneously: funding the next generation of AI technology while increasing shareholder returns as competition and market expectations reshape the sector.

  • Sowami’s Ardova-led consortium to acquire Powergas, deepen CNG market push

    Sowami’s Ardova-led consortium to acquire Powergas, deepen CNG market push

    LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigerian energy company Ardova Plc, led by businessman AbdulWasiu Sowami, has agreed to acquire 100 per cent of Powergas, one of Africa’s largest compressed natural gas (CNG) producers and virtual pipeline distributors.

    The transaction, agreed with Danish investment firm A.P. Moller Capital, will see a consortium led by Ardova and including Diadem Energy acquire Powergas Global Investments Nigeria Limited and Powergas Ebedei Limited.

    The financial terms were not disclosed. Completion is expected around the end of 2026, subject to regulatory and other required approvals.

    Powergas operates a “virtual pipeline” model, compressing natural gas and transporting it by road to industrial, commercial and power customers beyond the reach of Nigeria’s conventional fixed pipeline network.

    Founded in 2013 by Clean Energy Group, Powergas developed its business around the compression, transportation and distribution of natural gas. Its Ebedei operation in Delta State also captures gas that would otherwise be flared and supplies it to industrial users.

    A.P. Moller Capital invested in Powergas Ebedei through Impala Energy Holdings in April 2019, its Africa Infrastructure Fund I’s first investment. Powergas commenced operations in 2020, while its Ebedei compression facility was commissioned in 2021. The company has since expanded its distribution network across southern Nigeria and created 175 direct jobs.

    Ardova expands into CNG

    The acquisition will expand Ardova’s existing downstream energy business into CNG production, compression and distribution.

    Ardova operates across petroleum products retail and distribution, liquefied petroleum gas, aviation fuel, shipping, lubricants and logistics. The company also plans to deploy CNG infrastructure across its retail network, targeting 100 CNG refuelling sites nationwide within 24 months.

    The combination of Powergas’ gas-sourcing relationships, compression infrastructure and industrial customer base with Ardova’s nationwide retail, logistics and distribution network is expected to strengthen the company’s position across Nigeria’s emerging gas value chain.

    Ardova Executive Chairman AbdulWasiu Sowami said Nigeria’s next phase of energy development would be driven by natural gas and that the company intended to expand access to gas for industry, power and transportation.

    He said the enlarged business would support the Federal Government’s Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles and the Decade of Gas programme.

    Focus on gas monetisation

    The Powergas acquisition also gives Ardova access to infrastructure designed to monetise natural gas that might otherwise be flared.

    A.P. Moller Capital said Powergas’ model had helped provide industrial and commercial customers with an alternative to diesel-fired power generation while supporting the utilisation of domestic gas.

    Following completion, Ardova plans to expand Powergas’ compression capacity across viable gas-producing corridors, creating additional offtake opportunities for associated and non-associated gas.

    Powergas Vice-Chairman Pulak Sen said the combination of the company’s compression infrastructure and Ardova’s national distribution reach would create opportunities to expand into new markets and geographical areas.

    Diadem Group Chairman George Eluwa said his company’s experience as a virtual-pipeline logistics partner to Powergas would support the next phase of the business.

    Wider West African expansion

    The enlarged platform is also expected to provide a basis for regional expansion, with Ardova planning to explore opportunities across West Africa as demand grows for natural gas and alternatives to diesel.

    A.P. Moller Capital Partner Sam Senbanjo said Powergas had developed from a concept into a fully operational CNG business since the fund’s investment in 2019.

    The transaction is expected to close around the end of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and third-party approvals.

  • ICYMI: NNPC welcomes $800m Ima Gas Project final investment decision

    ICYMI: NNPC welcomes $800m Ima Gas Project final investment decision

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has welcomed the $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ima Gas Project, describing it as a major development that underscores the growing viability of Nigeria’s upstream gas sector.

    In a statement issued on September 25, 2026, by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd. said the project, located offshore in OMLs 112 and 117, is being developed by AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies.

    The project is expected to produce about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at peak production, with the output supplying feedgas to Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) to support the expansion of its Train 7 project.

    The Train 7 expansion is expected to increase production capacity at the Bonny Island plant from 22 million tonnes per annum to 30 million tonnes per annum.

    According to NNPC, the FID was enabled by the Presidential Directives issued in 2024, which provided fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, streamlined contracting processes and reduced development costs.

    The Ima project is the fourth major gas project to reach FID under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following Iseni, Ubeta and HI.

    Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the FID as “a decisive vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and in the bold reforms” that have created competitive terms and a predictable investment environment.

    NNPC also commended the collaboration among AMNI, TotalEnergies and the Nigerian financial sector, describing the partnership involving an indigenous operator, international partner and domestic capital as a model for future developments.

    The company reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Federal Government, regulators and industry partners to sustain investment in the sector and harness Nigeria’s gas resources for industrialisation, job creation and long-term economic development.

  • Nigeria Customs, UK HMRC move to finalise mutual assistance agreement

    Nigeria Customs, UK HMRC move to finalise mutual assistance agreement

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the UK’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are working to finalise a Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (CMAA) to strengthen information sharing, compliance and trade facilitation between both countries.

    The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic, Research and Policy, Nafi’u Isyaku, who represented Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a bilateral meeting with an HMRC delegation on Friday in Abuja.

    Isyaku said negotiations had been conducted virtually for about six months before both sides met physically at the NCS headquarters in Maitama to resolve outstanding issues ahead of the proposed signing in December.

    “We decided to come here in person so that we can finalise the negotiations before the final signing, which hopefully is coming up in the first week of December during the World Customs Organisation Policy Commission meeting,” he said.

    HMRC Senior Policy Adviser, Syed Moinuddin, said the meeting provided an opportunity for both customs administrations to strengthen cooperation and establish a framework reflecting their mutual interests.

    Louisa Bentley, HMRC Head of Bilateral Relations and Agreements, said the two-day negotiations were successful and that both sides were close to finalising the agreement.

    She said the agreement would improve compliance and information sharing between the two administrations while supporting trade facilitation and expanding opportunities for both countries in global trade.

    Bentley also commended NCS reforms after touring key facilities at its headquarters, including the Trade Modernisation Project Limited office, Pre-Arrival Assessment Report office and Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network station.

    “We have seen significant developments in technology and personnel training,” she said, adding that the reforms would support more modern and efficient trade processes.

    The bilateral meeting, held from Thursday to Friday, ended with a tour of key NCS departments and units to showcase ongoing reforms and operational developments.

  • UNGA81: AfDB, partners launch free AI training for African public officials

    UNGA81: AfDB, partners launch free AI training for African public officials

    NEW YORK, United States (NPA) — The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, in partnership with the UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development, Google and Apolitical, has launched a free training programme to help public officials across Africa understand and apply artificial intelligence (AI) in their work.

    The programme was launched on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    Under Apolitical’s Government AI Campus initiative, participants will have access to courses including “AI Fundamentals for Public Servants: Opportunities, Risks and Strategies,” “AI Leadership in Government: Building Trust, Skills and an Innovative Culture,” and “Smarter Procurement with AI.”

    The training courses were developed by Stanford University Online and SDA Bocconi School of Management, while Google and Apolitical are providing the learning platform and content.

    The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is a G7-endorsed initiative co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. It also aligns with Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa.

    The African Development Bank Group is a founding member of the AI Hub’s Executive Steering Group.

    AfDB Director for Industrial and Trade Development, Ousmane Fall, said the partnership would help address the need for stronger understanding of AI applications within government.

    “AI is changing how we work. It promises major productivity gains if users fully understand its application. Building that understanding in government has been neglected and this partnership helps us put that right,” Fall said.

    The training is the first step towards implementing recommendations from an AfDB report, “Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation.”

    The report projected that inclusive AI deployment could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2035, while identifying skills and trusted governance among five key enablers needed to realise those gains.

    Director of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and UNDP Head of Digital and AI Programmes, Keyzom Ngodup Massally, said African governments needed timely support to strengthen their institutional and technical capacity to participate in the AI economy.

    “As the AI landscape continues to evolve, governments across Africa need timely support to strengthen the institutional and technical foundations required to participate meaningfully in the AI economy,” Massally said.

    The training is self-paced, with enrolment open and free of charge to serving government officials and public servants in the African Development Bank’s regional member countries.

    The programme is targeted at officials working on AI in public service delivery, digital infrastructure, public-private partnerships and innovation.

  • NDB approves $395m for Hyderabad elevated transport corridor

    NDB approves $395m for Hyderabad elevated transport corridor

    HYDERABAD, India (Agency Report) — The New Development Bank (NDB) has approved up to $395 million to finance an elevated transport corridor project in Hyderabad, India.

    According to TV BRICS, the funding will support the upgrading of urban transport infrastructure and expand the capacity of major highways in the city.

    The project includes the construction of high-speed elevated corridors along National Highway NH-44 and State Highway SH-1.

    Hyderabad, the administrative centre of Telangana, has developed into a major economic and technology hub, with rapid population growth and increased business activity contributing to rising traffic volumes.

    The report said the growing pressure on existing road infrastructure had increased the need for improved transport capacity and connectivity.

    The proposed elevated corridors are expected to reduce travel times and strengthen transport links between different parts of the city.

    According to TV BRICS, the financing also highlights the NDB’s role in supporting infrastructure development across BRICS member countries.

    The bank finances projects in areas including transport, energy, urban development and other infrastructure sectors.

    (NAN)

  • Mbah reaffirms commitment to tourism, transport as Enugu Air launches Douala route

    Mbah reaffirms commitment to tourism, transport as Enugu Air launches Douala route

    ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — Enugu State Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing the tourism and transport sectors following the inaugural regional flight of the state-owned Enugu Air from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to Douala, Cameroon.

    Mbah, in a statement on Thursday, described the launch as another milestone in the delivery of a major commitment of his administration.

    He said Enugu Air would serve as an ambassador of the state across Africa by connecting residents and businesses to new opportunities and strengthening the state’s links with the continent.

    “Enugu Air was a major commitment of this administration, and I am proud to see us mark another milestone in its delivery with the inaugural regional flight from Enugu to Douala, Cameroon,” Mbah said.

    “Going forward, Enugu Air will be a proud ambassador of Enugu State across Africa, connecting our people to new opportunities and bringing our state closer to the continent.”

    The governor said the initiative was part of his administration’s broader development agenda under the “Tomorrow is Here” mantra, which includes efforts to expand the state’s economy through tourism, industrialisation and education.

    The inaugural flight to Douala marks Enugu Air’s expansion beyond domestic operations and establishes a regional connection between Enugu and Cameroon.

  • Tinubu hails US-Nigeria agreement to unlock $700bn mineral wealth

    Tinubu hails US-Nigeria agreement to unlock $700bn mineral wealth

    ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed an agreement signed in New York by Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to deepen American investment in Nigeria’s mining sector.

    Tinubu said the agreement would help unlock the potential of Nigeria’s mineral resources, estimated at about $700 billion, describing it as one of the gains of his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.

    In a statement issued on Sept. 24, Tinubu said Nigeria remained open to partnerships that deliver meaningful benefits at home and create opportunities for Nigerians.

    “I welcome the agreement signed in New York by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to deepen American investment in Nigeria’s mining sector and help unlock the potential of our mineral resources, estimated at about $700 billion,” he said.

    The President said his administration had deliberately moved away from simply extracting and exporting raw minerals by tying new mining licences to local value addition and attracting investment into processing and refining within Nigeria.

    “That policy is already producing results. New processing plants are being established, billions of dollars in investment commitments have entered the sector, and investor interest in Nigeria’s critical minerals continues to grow,” Tinubu said.

    He said the administration’s ambition was to deepen progress across the mining value chain, from exploration and extraction to processing, refining and manufacturing.

    “At every stage, Nigerians must benefit. Our geologists, engineers and technicians must find work. Our young people must acquire new skills. Local contractors, transporters and suppliers must have opportunities to build businesses,” he said.

    Tinubu said processing minerals closer to where they were extracted should stimulate industrial activity, infrastructure development and improved livelihoods in mining communities.

    He added that Nigeria also intended to increase the processing and manufacturing of minerals domestically and export higher-value products rather than predominantly raw materials.

    “The agreement with the United States builds on the progress we have already made. We welcome partners who bring capital, technology and expertise and are prepared to create value with us here in Nigeria,” he said.

    The President said the country’s mineral wealth must translate into jobs, stronger Nigerian businesses and greater prosperity for communities where the resources are found.

    “This is how we turn the reforms we have made into opportunities for every Nigerian,” Tinubu said.