By Adenike Lawal
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s global economic diplomacy for its growing impact on trade and investment partnerships.
Speaking in Lagos on December 30, 2024, Edun highlighted the significant progress made through the president’s international engagements.
President Tinubu has pursued economic diplomacy across continents, including South America, Asia, and Europe, to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and foster trade relations. A recent delegation to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, led by Edun, further strengthened ties between Nigeria and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The team included Minister of Budget and National Planning Abubakar Bagudu, Presidential Economic Coordination Council member Wale Tinubu, Special Adviser on Finance and the Economy Sanyade Okoli, and Central Bank Deputy Governor Muhammad Abdullahi.
The delegation engaged with key Saudi institutions, including the Saudi EXIM Bank, Saudi Development Fund, and Saudi Agricultural Livestock Investment Company, to explore investment opportunities.
Edun revealed that on December 23, 2024, the Saudi Agricultural Livestock Investment Company committed an additional $1.2 billion to Olam, reflecting confidence in Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic environment.
Edun emphasized that these efforts are expected to drive FDI, enhance trade, and create jobs, while highlighting Saudi Arabia’s unique investment approach, which does not involve exporting labor.
He noted that the Olam investment stemmed from discussions initiated at the 2023 Saudi Business Council Meeting, underscoring the sustained momentum of Tinubu’s economic diplomacy.