President Bola Tinubu has expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen strategic partnerships with Qatar, particularly in agriculture, food security, and economic development, as Qatari investors prepare to explore new investment opportunities in the country.
Receiving Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Special Envoy of the Amir of the State of Qatar and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in Abuja on Thursday, May 9, President Tinubu welcomed the Amir’s renewed commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation. He noted that a high-level Qatari business delegation will soon visit Nigeria to explore potential investment areas, particularly in the agricultural sector.
“We are open and willing to go further in our bilateral relations,” President Tinubu said. “Qatar remains a trusted partner, and I deeply value the cordial ties between our nations.”
The President affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fully implementing all bilateral agreements signed during his state visit to Qatar in 2024. He directed key ministers—including Budget and Economic Planning Minister Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Information Minister Mohammed Idris, and Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar—to ensure prompt execution of the agreements.
President Tinubu commended Qatar’s global leadership in peace-building and development, noting shared values between both nations. “Your government deserves recognition for its efforts in fostering peace and human development,” he said. “Like you, we face challenges such as terrorism and insecurity, but we remain committed to building peace and prosperity.”
He also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s investment climate, especially through overhauls of the tax system to ease the entry of foreign investors. “We are taking tough decisions to fix our economy. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible,” he noted.
Dr. Al-Khulaifi, conveying the goodwill of the Amir of Qatar, emphasized the country’s desire to make Nigeria its strategic partner in Africa. He reaffirmed Qatar’s interest in supporting Nigeria’s development in key sectors such as petrochemicals, agriculture, and humanitarian assistance.
“We are proud of the level of relations we have with Nigeria,” the Qatari envoy said. “Our partnership extends beyond government—to the people. The Amir believes Nigeria is vital to Qatar’s strategy in Africa.”
He added that several Qatari companies are eager to enter the Nigerian market and that groundwork is being laid to enable such expansion.
The meeting marks a significant step in the evolving diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Qatar, with both countries pledging closer cooperation in development, trade, and regional peace initiatives.