National News
European Reconstruction Bank Sites First West African Office In Lagos
European Reconstruction Bank Sites First West African Office In Lagos
** As VP Shettima restates President Tinubu’s resolve to sustain stronger ties with EU
** Welcomes partnership with Asian Consortium to manufacture electric cars, solar equipment in Nigeria
By: Our Reporter
The Nigerian government has reiterated its deep commitment to strategic partnership with the European Union, as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) prepares to open its first West African office in Lagos.
Nigeria officially became the EBRD’s 77th shareholder in February 2025, following the bank’s limited and incremental expansion to sub-Saharan Africa approved by its Board of Governors in 2023.
Speaking on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised the EU’s longstanding support, highlighting the growing opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, and youth empowerment.
“You are our natural partners and allies. Beyond the geography that binds us, we have a cultural affinity that goes back centuries,” VP Shettima said.
The Vice President noted that Nigeria is entering a new phase of economic openness under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said took bold steps from day one to dismantle key structural challenges.
He said, “Some of the dysfunctions in the Nigerian economy – the opaque exchange rate regime and the fuel subsidy – President Tinubu had the courage to remove them. All the encumbrances toward investment in this country are gradually being eliminated.”
Welcoming the EBRD’s expansion into Nigeria, VP Shettima said the opening of its Lagos office is a symbolic and strategic development for both parties, as “it will send a message across the borders.
“More than ever before, Nigeria is ready for business,” he added, emphasising that Nigeria’s partnership with the EU extends beyond economics, just as he made reference to the EU’s significant humanitarian and stabilisation efforts in conflict-affected regions such as Borno State, where he served as governor.
“I know the prominent role that the EU played in stability and humanitarian support in Borno State. You deserve commendation, not condemnation. We will always stand by those who stood by us in our hours of need,” VP Shettima said.
The Vice President also spoke on migration cooperation, expressing satisfaction with ongoing engagements under the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement, and called for a revitalisation of youth-focused programmes like the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP).
“There is a need for us to recalibrate the programme for the good of our young men and women,” VP Shettima said.
Earlier in his remarks, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mignot, said given the turmoil and very difficult political climate globally, it is important to have a reliable relationship with Nigeria, noting that the European Union sees Nigeria as a key partner in the 21st century.
Mr. Mignot explained that all the EU ambassadors in Nigeria have met to reaffirm their partnership with Nigeria.
He stated that the EU is a strong supporter of the UN Charter, the Sustainable Development Goals, and global gender equality initiatives of the international community.
“The EU believes in free and fair trade, international partnerships as relations among equals, mutual benefits and respecting sovereignty. West Africa and Nigeria are priorities for us because we are neighbours and our destinies are closely linked.
“Therefore, we are determined to keep our commitment globally and here in the region and Nigeria in terms of partnerships, cooperation and humanitarian aid,” he said.
VP Shettima Welcomes Partnership With Asian Consortium On Electric Cars, Solar Equipment Manufacture In Nigeria
In another development, Vice President Shettima applauded the proposal for partnership between Nigeria and the Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) of South Korea for solar equipment and electric vehicle manufacturing, as well as for advanced Information Technology for security enhancement in Nigeria.
He said Nigeria was ready for partnerships that would advance the industrialisation agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and improve the lives of the citizens.
The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the AEDC South Korea led by its Chairman, Mr Yoon Suk-hun, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Senator Shettima added that Nigeria is open to and interested in any form of arrangements that would lead to the transfer of technology and the establishment of industries for solar equipment production and electric vehicle manufacturing in Nigeria, among others.
He reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu administration to creating the enabling environment for private investments in the country, assuring the delegation of the government’s cooperation.
“This government wants to be the facilitator for businesses to thrive in Nigeria. We will create a safe passage and a conducive environment for private businesses like yours to thrive.”
The Vice President commended South Korea’s commitment to the development of Africa, given their shared history, just as he praised the country’s investments in human resource development and technological advancement, especially in automobile manufacturing and the alternative energy sector.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr Suk-hun, said the delegation was in the country to explore areas of partnership in solar technology, electric vehicle manufacturing and information technology infrastructure for security enhancement, among others.
He said the AEDC believes in the present leadership of the country to harness the enormous potential there, leveraging technology and the resources that abound across the country.
Mr Suk-hun said the organisation’s proposal for investment in Nigeria was not for profit maximisation but to ensure the transfer of technology in key areas, including solar technology, electric vehicle manufacturing and information technology capacity for security enhancement.
Also present at the meeting were the Founder/Chairman of AMMASCO Group, Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad; Shin Kyeong-seub; Kim Se Hun and Yang Jin Won, all from the AEDC.
European Reconstruction Bank Sites First West African Office In Lagos
Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday received a high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, in a visit that observers say comes at a politically sensitive moment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The delegation was led by the President of the foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity division, Hari Menon, and included senior officials of the organisation’s Nigeria office. The team briefed the vice president on the foundation’s ongoing programmes and partnerships in Nigeria.
Posting on his verified Facebook page after the meeting, Shettima commended the foundation for its long-standing support to Nigeria in critical sectors such as health, agriculture and development.
“Yesterday, I received in audience a delegation of the Gates Foundation led by the President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, Mr. Hari Menon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,” the vice president said.
“In my interaction with the delegation, I applauded the Gates Foundation for sustaining investments and humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Indeed, the Foundation remains the nation’s strategic partner in the drive to change the Nigerian narrative.”
The visit comes amid growing political conversations about the composition of the ruling ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election and whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will retain Shettima as his running mate.
Although the meeting was officially centred on development cooperation, political watchers say the timing has drawn attention within policy and political circles, especially given the influence of the foundation founded by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
Sources familiar with the engagement said discussions focused largely on the foundation’s interventions in Nigeria, including programmes aimed at improving public health, expanding agricultural productivity and supporting vulnerable populations.
During his visit to Nigeria, Menon also held diplomatic engagements, including a visit to the Indian High Commission where he met with the ambassador, Abhishek Singh.
The Gates Foundation has operated in Nigeria since 2000 and has been a key partner in several national initiatives, particularly in immunisation campaigns, disease control, nutrition and agricultural development. The organisation marked 25 years of its presence in the country in 2025.
Despite its extensive development footprint, some of the foundation’s programmes have occasionally attracted debate in Nigeria, particularly around issues such as genetically modified crops, vaccination initiatives and population policies.
Analysts say that as political alignments gradually begin ahead of 2027, high-profile international engagements by key government figures may increasingly attract attention beyond their immediate development objectives.
Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin
2027: Bill Gates Joins Campaign, Supports Shettima
By:Michael Mike
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has received a highly anticipated support to continue as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election from chairman of the Gates Foundation, Bill Gates.
The unusual support according to sources knowledgeable about the matter is a lifeline for the embattled vice president.
Shettima, whose fate as Tinubu’s running mate has been dangling in the balance received the boost after a delegation from Gates Foundation led by the president, Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO), Hari Menon visited Shettima at the Villa on Wednesday.
According to a post on the vice president’s verified Facebook page, the delegation which also included members of the foundation in Nigeria briefed the VP on its activities in Nigeria .
” Yesterday, I received in audience a delegation of the Gates Foundation, led by the President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, Mr. Hari Menon, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
” In my interaction with the delegation, I applauded the Gates Foundation for sustaining investments and humanitarian aid in Nigeria. Indeed, the Foundation remains the nation’s strategic partner in the drive to change the Nigerian narrative, ” Shettima said.
However, the meeting between the vice president and Bill Gates team had another purpose, to pass a vote of confidence on the VP in order to convince President Tinubu to retain him s running mate.
” There have been calls for the president to drop Shettima because of his political baggage and alleged links to the insurgency in the Northeast. Most of the pressure is coming from the United States that currently have soldiers on the ground in nigeria, providing support for the Nigerian military.
” What better way to shore up support than to bring the biggest philanthropist to Nigeria in order to prove that he still hs some international connections, ” the source said.
In his visit to Nigeria, Menon who is of Indian heritage also visited the Indian High Commission to Nigeria, meeting with the ambassador, Abhishek Singh.
The Gates Foundation has been active in Nigeria since 2000 and it celebrated its 25th years in the country last year. Activities of the foundation has also come under scrutiny for many years especially it’s support for population control, Genetically Modified Organisms in agriculture and questionable polio immunisation.
2027: Bill Gates Joins Campaign, Supports Shettima
State Police: Group Commends Tinubu, Urges Accelerated Action
By: Michael Mike
A good governance advocacy group, the Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), has commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and for rallying state governors toward a framework for the establishment of state police.
In a press statement issued Wednesday in Abuja by its Director of Press and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, the group said lasting peace and stability in the country require a multi-layered approach that empowers communities while strengthening national coordination.
According to HAI, the establishment of state police would enhance citizens’ participation in security matters and align with Nigeria’s federal system.
The group noted that many states already operate regional security outfits and vigilante groups, stressing that legislative backing is necessary to ensure such initiatives function efficiently and complement the federal government’s security architecture.
HAI said localised policing would allow officers to better understand the terrain, culture, and unique security challenges within their communities, thereby improving rapid response and strengthening public trust in efforts to combat crime and insurgency.
The organisation also commended the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) for submitting a proposed state police framework to the Office of the National Security Adviser. It, however, urged governors to intensify support for the existing security architecture to address ongoing threats.
The group further welcomed recent security cooperation agreements between Nigeria and partners including the United States, United Kingdom, and France. According to HAI, the partnerships are expected to strengthen advanced training, intelligence sharing, and technological support in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and organised crime.
HAI emphasised that security remains the foundation of national development, noting that combining grassroots policing with global alliances would help create a safer environment, attract investment, and restore public confidence.
The group also praised the Nigerian military for sustaining operations against terrorists and bandits across the country and urged troops not to relent in protecting communities from criminal elements that target civilians to spread fear and panic.
It expressed confidence that the federal government would continue to provide the armed forces with the necessary equipment and welfare support needed to sustain operations and secure victory against threats to national security.
The organisation further highlighted the significance of President Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom, where he was hosted by King Charles III. According to HAI, the visit underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in global affairs.
It added that the President’s engagement with Nigerian community leaders in the UK demonstrated the important role of the diaspora in national development and could encourage greater investment and knowledge transfer to the country.
HAI urged government institutions, civil society organisations, and citizens to support ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening security and building a more prosperous Nigeria.
State Police: Group Commends Tinubu, Urges Accelerated Action
Shettima Hosts Gates Foundation Delegation as 2027 Political Calculations Begin
2027: Bill Gates Joins Campaign, Supports Shettima
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