President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has graciously accepted an invitation to hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Joe Biden.
The rendezvous is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting. This information was made public by Aguri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued on Saturday.
The momentum leading up to this meeting was accentuated by a prior interaction between President Tinubu and the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee. During this session, President Tinubu reiterated his steadfast commitment to fostering a conducive environment for private enterprises in Nigeria. He emphasized that, under his leadership, the nation is dedicated to creating an atmosphere that propels private businesses to thrive.
President Tinubu further stressed the importance of innovation in the realm of foreign investment. He urged the US government to adopt innovative strategies for incentivizing its investments within Nigeria. He stated, “Yes, the private sector will lead the way within an enabling environment we create for them. However, the U.S. Government must be innovative and systematically create incentives for U.S. industrial investment in Nigeria. Under my leadership, Nigeria stands ready to address its specific regulatory, tax, and environmental concerns. I am determined to create prosperity for all Nigerian families.”
Ambassador Molly Phee reciprocated the enthusiasm for heightened cooperation. She expressed the US government’s dedication to enhancing incentives for substantial investment in Nigeria. Notably, she conveyed President Biden’s personal interest in meeting with President Tinubu during the UNGA. “President Joe Biden is asking to meet with you on the sidelines of UNGA, and you are the only African leader he has requested to meet. It is a mark of his high regard for your leadership,” Phee added.
The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly is set to convene on September 12, 2023, in New York, United States. This anticipated meeting between President Tinubu and President Biden is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in fostering stronger ties between Nigeria and the United States, while also addressing key economic and bilateral concerns.
