• FG woos Saudi investors, unveils opportunities in tourism, agriculture, technology
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Federal Government has declared Nigeria ready to enter a new era of investment, trade and tourism cooperation with Saudi Arabia, urging investors from the Kingdom to take advantage of emerging opportunities created by the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja at the Nigeria–Saudi Diaspora Investment and Tourism Exhibition Summit 2026.
Idris said Nigeria was “open for business” and ready to deepen its economic partnership with Saudi Arabia, stressing that ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda were creating a more competitive and investor-friendly environment.
“Nigeria is open for business and ready for deeper partnership with Saudi Arabia. Our economic reforms are creating new opportunities for investment, trade and tourism, and we invite investors to take advantage of the enormous potential our country offers,” the Minister said.
He described the summit as a strategic platform for governments, investors and private-sector players from both countries to develop practical partnerships capable of expanding trade, attracting investment, creating jobs and strengthening bilateral economic relations.
According to him, the Tinubu administration is transforming Nigeria’s investment landscape through reforms in infrastructure, economic diversification, agriculture, education financing, digital innovation, skills development and security.
Idris said the reforms were laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth while positioning Nigeria as a preferred destination for regional and international investment.
The Minister also called for a stronger and more accurate global narrative about Nigeria, saying investor confidence thrives on transparency, policy consistency and trust.
“Our responsibility is to continue projecting an accurate, balanced and confident narrative about Nigeria. Investment flourishes where there is transparency, policy consistency and trust,” he said.
Idris further highlighted the strategic role of Nigerians in the diaspora in promoting Nigeria’s economic interests, noting that their expertise, professional networks and entrepreneurial achievements could help attract capital, technology and partnerships into the country.
He urged participants at the summit to move beyond discussions and translate the opportunities identified into concrete investments, technology transfers, tourism projects, innovation partnerships and joint ventures.
“Let us move beyond dialogue to action. Let us build partnerships that create jobs, grow businesses, promote innovation and improve the lives of our people,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called for stronger economic collaboration between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia through diaspora-led investments.
Dabiri-Erewa urged investors to explore opportunities in real estate, agriculture, tourism, logistics and other strategic sectors, stressing that Nigerians in the diaspora remained important partners in national development.
She said the contribution of the Nigerian diaspora extended beyond remittances to include global expertise, market intelligence, credibility and valuable international networks.
“Our diaspora contributes far more than remittances. They bring global expertise, market intelligence, credibility and valuable networks that can unlock investment and create jobs,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to convert the summit’s discussions into practical commercial partnerships capable of strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
The summit attracted senior government officials, business leaders, investors, development partners and members of the Nigerian diaspora to explore opportunities for increased investment, tourism and economic cooperation between both countries.
Among the dignitaries in attendance was Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion in the Office of the Vice President, Aliyu Bunu Sheriff.
Also represented was the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, whose delegation was led by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai.