By Emmanuel Nduka
Netherland’s Prime Minister, Mark Rutte has disclosed that his country will invest $250 million in Nigeria in the next few months, including a $100 million investment in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.
Rutte stated this when he received President Bola Tinubu in his official residence, also known as “The Catshuis”, in The Hague, on Thursday.
“You are promoting democratic governance and the solutions it can bring in dealing with problems of development,” he said in acknowledgement of President Tinubu’s economic reforms.
“I saw you take the courageous decision to deal with fuel subsidies and other reforms, and we are interested in what allowed you to take the decisions that many before you could not take. And you took those decisions early in your term. It shows rare determination. And your stand in ECOWAS, all of these point to your commitment to leadership,” the prime minister added.
The Nigerian leader who is currently on a state visit to the Netherlands on the invitation of the prime minister, responded that Nigeria was well-positioned to power the clean energy future of Europe and the world with its high-grade lithium deposits.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale in a statement, disclosed that Tinubu told his host that Nigeria offers opportunities across sectors and that his administration was deepening reforms to enhance the investment climate.
“Taking a holistic view of the world order, there is a tremendous opportunity between us across trade spheres but especially in solid minerals, where we have high-grade lithium deposits that we know can power the clean energy future of the world. There is an excellent value-additive opportunity in Nigeria. The world knows us for oil. They will soon know us for greater innovative exploits in other areas,” Tinubu said.
“When we are referring to 200 million plus citizens, it represents both a massive workforce and a massive market for Dutch and other international investors.
“If our young people know they can achieve a good future in Nigeria, they will stay home and build our nation to greatness. Lawful migration of trained Nigerian minds and hands will be a benefit to Europe, and irregular migration will no longer be a source of fear in Europe if we partner effectively.
“This is what we want and it is why we are adamant about providing student loans and new credit opportunities to not only enhance the skills of our people but also ensure they can access a higher quality of life within their legitimate incomes. We will transform our economy, and our young people will be the reason why,” the president said in recognition of Nigeria’s youthful population which has 70 percent of the people under 30 years of age.
