Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared President Bola Tinubu resolute commitments to rooting out economic saboteurs who have been undermining the prosperity of our nation. He said the President, through his unwavering leadership, seeks to restore confidence in our economy and bring down destructive practices that have hindered our progress for far too long.
Shettima made this statement during the gathering of African leaders at the 21st Replenishment of the International Development Association in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Vice President, while representing Tinubu at the meeting stressed that Nigeria’s goal now extends beyond fostering unicorns to establishing itself as a global destination for initiative talent in the digital and creative economy.
He stated that the country would achieve this by harnessing the potential of its youthful population.
In his words: “Since assuming office, President Tinubu has remained steadfast in fulfilling his promise to end the reign of economic saboteurs who have long exploited and hindered the progress of our nation.
“I am pleased to report that our economy has escaped the phase of sabotage.”
VP Shettima while reading the President’s address titled, ‘The Path to Recovery: Nigeria’s Journey Beyond Sabotage,’ emphasized Nigeria’s plans to build a vast digital market capable of absorbing cutting-edge innovations and technologies.
According to him, this would position the country as a hub for outsourcing talent in the digital and creative economy spheres.
He notes: “Being a young country with a median age of about 18, our interventions in the digital economy have been so extensive that we are no longer boasting of having the most unicorns, but preparing to serve as a global hub for outsourcing talents.”
The president’s comments come nearly two months after Shettima launched the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative to plunge Nigeria’s net into the $350bn global outsourcing market.
OTNI, spearheaded by the office of the Vice President is a private sector-led, government-enabled programme designed to create job opportunities within the expanding business process and technology-enabled outsourcing sector.
Shettima also informed other African leaders of the various reforms implemented by Tinubu’s administration to curb illicit activities and currency manipulation that had long hindered the nation’s progress.
Alongside the digital transformation agenda, the VP said Nigeria was committed to prioritising climate resilience and becoming an attractive destination for carbon market investments.
He said, “The tensions resulting from climate-induced disruptions serve as a pressing call to action.
“The profound impact of climate change on our continent’s security underscores our dedication to transforming innovative concepts from conference discussions into tangible actions.
“We aim to become an investment-friendly destination for carbon market investments.”
He expressed Nigeria’s belief that the summit’s communiqué would reflect the collective needs of African and IDA countries, capturing their “nuances, consensus, dreams, and projections.”
He listed key priorities for Nigeria’s economic recovery in his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, anchored on poverty alleviation, to include economic expansion, job creation, enhanced access to capital, food security, and inclusivity.
Similarly, the VP focused on the importance of regional economic integration through instruments such as the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement to dismantle investment barriers and facilitate access to international markets.
He Stated: “Our path to the future depends on nurturing strategic partnerships with other nations and development organizations.
“Therefore, we will utilize our absolute and comparative advantages to establish partnerships across borders.”
