Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has stressed the urgent need to address food security, warning that “a hungry population is an unrestful population.”
Speaking during a state visit to France on Thursday, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron, Tinubu underlined the importance of agricultural investment and partnerships to tackle hunger and improve living conditions across Africa.
Tinubu advocated for private sector involvement in food production, assuring potential investors that Nigeria is working to minimise risks and create opportunities.
“The African-Nigerian business role is so important and trade and investment has been integral to this partnership. …we need to do more, promote more, invest more in very important areas, food security. We cannot but invest in one another’s economy.
“As the Nigerian financial sector is evolving in France’s environment, thank you for creating the conducive environment for them to flourish. And we are creating the same grant for investment in the Nigerian economy for the French nationals. In the area of food security, it is a must.
“An hungry population is an unrestful population. And we owe the responsibility by all of us to put together a food security program for private sector investors to come in, invest. We de-risk the fears that they may have,” he said.
He highlighted the critical role of agriculture, suggesting that improved access to food, such as milk or eggs for schoolchildren, would encourage education and contribute to societal development.
“No child should go to bed hungry,” he said, emphasising the importance of collaboration to ensure food availability.
The President also addressed Nigeria’s efforts to stabilise security, which he said are steadily improving, making the country safer for investment. He reassured the international community that Nigeria is “open for business” and encouraged French investors to explore opportunities in various sectors, including solid minerals, dairy, and fisheries.
Tinubu expressed gratitude to France for fostering a supportive environment for Nigerian financial institutions and pledged reciprocal conditions for French businesses in Nigeria.
The President also touched on the importance of education and youth development, calling on French expertise to help train and skill Nigeria’s vibrant youth population.
“The more educated this population is, the better and well-trained society becomes,” he said, linking education to broader efforts to combat terrorism and other challenges.
He further discussed the potential for collaboration in defence and marine industries, noting Nigeria’s strides in promoting a blue economy.
Tinubu concluded by affirming his commitment to fostering strong economic ties with France and providing a free-market economy where investors can thrive.
“We assure the investing community that Nigeria is open for business. We assure you of a free-market economy. Easy in, easy out. No hand-wraps,” he said.
