Tinubu arrives in Riyadh for Saudi-Africa summit

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital city, to attend the Saudi-Africa summit.

Tinubu arrived the Middle Eastern country on Thursday as part of efforts to attract foreign direct investment and mobilise capital to build needed infrastructure, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said.

“Discussions at the first Saudi-Africa summit will revolve around supporting joint action, enhancing political coordination, facilitating economic transformation through research and the local development of new energy solutions, all while bolstering cross-sectoral investment cooperation,” Ngelale added.

Tinubu has been pushing for more investments to revive an economy weakened by double-digit inflation, foreign currency shortages, a crumbling local currency, widespread insecurity, and crude oil theft.

While at the G20 summit in India earlier in September, the president assured investors that Nigeria will become one of the “most conducive places on earth” for foreign investments, saying he would ensure that bottlenecks are removed and investors thrive in the country.

At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Nigerian leader asked investors to prioritise Africa’s development, saying the goal should be a partnership that would be beneficial to all parties, instead of an exploitation.

Some of the officials accompanying Tinubu to the Saudi-Africa summit include Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs; Tahir Mamman, minister of education; and Wale Edun, coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance.

Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA); Ahmed Abubakar, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); and Jalal Arabi, chairperson of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), are also part of the trip.