By Alexis Uchendu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for greater French investments in Nigeria’s critical sectors, including food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense, during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on Thursday.

Speaking at a joint press conference, President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s immense untapped potential, particularly in agriculture and solid minerals, and encouraged French businesses to capitalize on the nation’s evolving economic landscape.

“Nigeria is ready for business. We welcome foreign investments, especially in agriculture and solid minerals, to ensure food security and economic stability,” Tinubu said.

He further emphasized the importance of education and entrepreneurship in equipping Nigeria’s youthful workforce, urging France to support initiatives aimed at empowering Nigerian youths.

“A well-fed and educated population is critical to a nation’s progress. In the 21st century, no child should go to bed hungry,” Tinubu stated.

On security, the Nigerian leader proposed enhanced cooperation with France to combat terrorism and address migration challenges, emphasizing the need for joint operations to bolster regional stability.

President Macron praised Tinubu’s leadership and reiterated France’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.

He pledged support for investments in solid minerals, creative industries, and youth-driven programs, expressing optimism for deeper bilateral collaboration.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Minister, Dele Alake, who outlined opportunities in the sector.

The visit concluded with Macron’s assurance of continued partnership with Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were received with state honors, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria-France relations.

By Faith Adama

In a strategic move to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, the outgoing U.S. administration under President Joe Biden has recommended that Kyiv lower its conscription age from 25 to 18.

The call comes amid escalating Russian military aggression and growing concerns over Ukraine’s manpower shortages as it struggles to keep pace with Moscow’s expanding military forces.

A senior Biden administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the situation “existential” for Ukraine, stressing that the country’s current recruitment efforts are insufficient to offset the devastating battlefield losses.

“Ukraine is not mobilizing enough soldiers to match Russia’s increasingly advanced military resources,” the official explained.

Ukraine had already reduced its conscription age from 27 to 25 in response to the ongoing war, which began in February 2022.

However, the U.S. believes that further lowering the age threshold could be crucial for maintaining a robust fighting force, particularly as Russia continues to escalate its offensive.

While the Biden administration has clarified that U.S. military aid to Ukraine is not contingent on this policy change, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stressed the importance of manpower in the ongoing conflict.

“Weapons and equipment are vital, but training and reinforcing Ukraine’s ranks are equally critical,” he said.

This recommendation comes at a time when President-elect Donald Trump is hinting at a possible shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

Trump, who has previously claimed he could broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia within 24 hours, has nominated retired General Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for Ukraine.

Kellogg has been vocal in advocating for peace talks with Moscow and has suggested that NATO should delay offering membership to Ukraine in exchange for Russian security guarantees.

With the Biden administration’s focus on reinforcing Ukraine’s military, and Trump’s potential change in course, the next few months will be pivotal in determining the direction of U.S. support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war.

By Adenike Lawal

Nigeria and Brazil have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing agribusiness through private sector investments in fertilizer production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural financing.

The agreement, facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), marks a significant step toward modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

The MoU was signed in Rio de Janeiro during the G20 Leaders’ Summit by Mr.

Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, and Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, President of Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV).

According to a statement released by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Presidency, the partnership underscores Brazil’s commitment to Nigeria’s food security and agricultural transformation.

FGV, the lead implementer of the Green Imperative Project (GIP), plays a pivotal role in this collaboration.

The GIP, launched in 2018, is a $1.2 billion bilateral initiative designed to modernize Nigeria’s agriculture using Brazil’s expertise in tropical farming. Supported by Deutsche Bank, the decade-long project aims to transfer advanced agricultural technology and knowledge.

Within its first five years, the initiative seeks to identify and support agribusiness ventures in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, providing them with technical and financial resources to drive sustainable development.

“This partnership creates avenues for Brazil to engage with Nigeria’s dynamic agricultural sector. Together with FGV, we will unlock private sector investment potential in critical areas essential for food security,” Fashedemi remarked at the signing ceremony.

The MoU also anticipates attracting $4.3 billion in private sector investments, which will focus on fertilizer production, hybrid seeds, and agricultural financing.

Senior officials from the Nigerian presidency, FMAFS, and FGV attended the signing ceremony, cementing a new era of cooperation between the two nations.

This agreement reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to enhance its agricultural productivity, stimulate economic growth, and ensure food security.