G-20 summit: Ministers, Tinubu come in India to entice investors

The G-20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi, India, and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu will travel there on Monday.

According to a press release issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu will attend the two-day summit at the Indian Prime Minister’s request.

President Tinubu will attend the G-20 summit in India, with attracting investment at the top of Nigeria’s agenda, according to a statement. Ngelale disclosed that the President plans to use the platform to draw in international money and encourage more foreign direct investments in crucial labor-intensive areas of the Nigerian economy for employment growth and revenue growth.

He’ll take advantage of the occasion to emphasize Nigeria’s investment appeal and will particularly lay out his cross-sectoral reform strategy as embodied in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

It stated, in part, that “leading industrialists have sought separate private engagements with him at the summit given the President’s renowned experience in attracting investment to Lagos State.”

At the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference, which will take place in conjunction with the Summit, President Tinubu will take part and provide keynote presentations.

Senior government leaders from both nations will attend the CEO Roundtable, together with prominent businessmen from Nigeria and India’s private sector.

Additionally, he will have bilateral talks with a variety of world leaders from four separate continents who are both G-20 and non-G20 members.

According to Ngelale, “these engagements are focused on enhancing bilateral economic, trade, and investment partnerships for mutual benefit.”

The G20 Summit’s theme, “One Earth-One Family-One Future,” alludes to the need for international cooperation to confront the problems facing humanity and the environment. The Nigerian leader is anticipated to present Nigeria’s position on this issue.

Although Nigeria is not yet a member of the G-20 bloc, which was established in September 1999, the presidential adviser claimed that Tinubu’s attendance at the summit is part of his effort to get Nigeria admitted to the group.

While the bloc’s inclusion of Nigeria is desirable, he pointed out that the Tinubu-led administration has started extensive discussions to determine the advantages and drawbacks of membership.

“This is consistent with the President’s desire to democratize foreign policy and articulate policy formulation and implementation through a Whole of Society and Whole of Government approach that achieves the nation’s long-term strategic objectives,” the statement continued.

This goal is partially furthered by President Tinubu’s attendance at the G-20 Summit in India.

The government will decide whether or not to submit an application for membership as necessary after consultations are complete, he continues.

Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and Industry, Trade and Investment Minister Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite are accompanying President Tinubu on the mission.

Since taking office on May 29, 2023, India is Tinubu’s sixth foreign country and first in Asia.

He has already traveled to Kenya, Kenya, France, Guinea-Bissau, and the UK.

Tinubu would be traveling for six days in New Delhi, making his total time abroad 19 days.

Immediately following the Summit’s completion, he is scheduled to fly back to Nigeria.