President Bola Tinubu and His Highness, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, played witness to a historic moment in Doha on Sunday, overseeing the signing of significant agreements that mark a new chapter in the collaboration between the two nations.
These agreements span crucial sectors such as education, enterprise development, investment promotion, youth empowerment, mining, tourism, and sports.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, shared insights into the event, revealing that President Tinubu, ahead of the signing ceremony at the Qatar Presidential Palace, assured his host of Nigeria’s readiness to welcome investors.
He highlighted the ongoing reforms aimed at fostering innovation, maximizing return on investments, and embracing multiculturalism.
The Emir of the State of Qatar reciprocated the sentiment, expressing Qatar’s openness to President Tinubu’s investment initiatives.
He recalled his visit to Nigeria in 2019, underscoring Nigeria’s significance as a crucial ally, both independently and within the regional context.
President Tinubu promptly appointed Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, as the leader of the government team tasked with engaging Qatari authorities in identifying and implementing investment opportunities.
Following a closed-door meeting between the two Heads of State, the signing ceremony featured seven bilateral agreements spanning diverse sectors.
These include a cooperation agreement in education, regulation of employment of workers with the Government of Qatar, establishment of a Joint Business Council (JBC) between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), as well as cooperation in the fields of youths and sports.
Additional agreements encompass cooperation in tourism and business events, along with a memorandum of understanding aimed at combating illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
This momentous occasion signifies a strengthened bond between Nigeria and Qatar, opening avenues for fruitful cooperation and mutual benefit.