ABUJA, Nigeria – President-elect Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has embarked on a journey to Europe on Wednesday, Mmay 10, 2023, aiming to foster international relations and fine-tune transition plans ahead of his inauguration on May 29, 2023.
His trip is intended to reduce the whirlwind of pressures and distractions that come with the transition of power, according to Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media aide.
Rahman, in a statement on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, revealed that the President-elect departed from Abuja with a select entourage of his key aides.
“The trip will reduce unnecessary pressures and distractions on the President-Elect ahead of the May 29 inauguration,” he said.
He further detailed the President-elect’s mission: “He will use the opportunity of the trip to fine-tune the transition plans and programmes, and his policy options with some of his key aides without unnecessary pressures and distractions.”
Tinubu’s visit to Europe is not just about transition and policy refinement. He plans to engage with investors and establish key alliances, marketing investment opportunities in Nigeria and highlighting his administration’s readiness to cultivate a business-friendly climate.
“During the visit, the President-elect will engage with investors and other key allies with the goal of marketing investment opportunities in the country and his administration’s readiness to enable a business-friendly climate through policies and regulations,” Rahman explained.
The President-elect has a busy schedule, with meetings already arranged with multi-sectoral actors in Europe’s business community, including manufacturing, agriculture, tech, and energy.
Tinubu aims to convince these potential investors of Nigeria’s readiness to do business under his leadership. He envisions mutually-beneficial partnerships, focusing on job creation and skills acquisition. These partnerships form the backbone of his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, aiming to revive the Nigerian economy and re-establish the country’s importance in the global economic chain.
Tinubu returned to Nigeria only two weeks ago after spending over a month overseas. His absence spurred rumors about his health, suggesting he was treating an undisclosed ailment. However, Tinubu vehemently denied these claims, asserting his readiness to assume the office of the President.
The president-elect is expected to return shortly, gearing up for his official swearing-in as the 16th President of Nigeria.
As Rahman concluded, “The president-elect has hitherto promised to hit the ground running and the visit is reflective of his commitment to the promise as he has already begun talks with global actors in the important areas of the economy and security.”
