President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has stated that the country, with its high-grade lithium deposits, is strategically positioned to drive the clean energy future of Europe and the world. He made this statement during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands at The Catshuis, his official residence in The Hague.
President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria is a land of immense opportunities across various sectors and that his administration is intensifying reforms to improve the investment climate. He expressed Nigeria’s desire for strong, balanced, and mutually beneficial partnerships that will result in value addition, particularly in the solid minerals sector.
“Nigeria is not just known for oil. We have high-grade lithium deposits that can power the world’s clean energy future. We are a young nation, with 70% of our population under the age of 30. This represents a massive workforce and a huge market for Dutch and other international investors,” the President said.
He further stated that if young Nigerians are assured of a promising future in their homeland, they will stay and contribute to the nation’s development. He believes that lawful migration of skilled Nigerian individuals will be beneficial to Europe, and irregular migration will cease to be a concern if partnerships are effective.
President Tinubu also expressed his confidence in the Nigerian people and his willingness to make difficult decisions for their benefit. He highlighted the performance of the Nigerian Naira as one of the world’s best-performing currencies, attributing this to the risks taken and the resilience of Nigerians.
The President of Nigeria concluded by saying, “I am a determined leader. I am not afraid of the consequences as long as my actions are in the best long-term interests of all Nigerians. As leaders, we must make decisions for the benefit of our nations.”
Prime Minister Rutte acknowledged President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which have boosted international investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy. He announced that Dutch investors have planned $250 million worth of new investments in the coming months, including a $100 million investment in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos State.
