On a bright Monday morning, President Bola Tinubu welcomed a
delegation from Shell Petroleum
Development Company to the prestigious Aso Rock
in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The Shell team, led by the esteemed Global
Upstream Director, Ms Zoe Yunovic, arrived on a courtesy call. Accompanying her
were Peter Costello, Osagie Okunbo, and Mar De Jong, prominent figures within
the company.
The meeting was graced by other prominent individuals,
including Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian
National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of
Staff to the President. In addition, there were several special advisers in
attendance, each playing a crucial role in advising the President on various
matters. These included Olu Verheijen, the Special Adviser on Energy; Zacchaeus
Adedeji, the Special Adviser on Revenue Matters; and Dele Alake, the Special
Adviser on Communications, Special Duties, and Strategy.
As the discussions commenced, President Tinubu reaffirmed his
government’s unwavering commitment to policy consistency and the creation of a
favorable business climate to attract investments. He expressed his gratitude
for Shell’s willingness to invest further in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,
emphasizing that such investments were crucial to fulfilling the government’s
obligations.
“We are open for business. We are serious,”
President Tinubu asserted, his words reflecting his determination. His
spokesman, Dele Alake, reported that the President assured the delegation of
policy consistency, providing them with the confidence they sought.
Furthermore, President Tinubu emphasized his government’s
efforts to eliminate all obstacles hindering Nigeria from becoming an appealing
investment destination. By doing so, he aimed to transform the country into a hub
for global investments, attracting both local and international businesses.
The meeting concluded successfully, with President Tinubu
expressing his gratitude to the Shell delegation for their visit. Their
discussions had been fruitful, and the President looked forward to further
collaborations with Shell and other stakeholders in the industry.
This meeting followed President Tinubu’s return to Abuja on
Sunday after a series of festive Sallah activities in Lagos the previous week.
Ever since his inauguration as Nigeria’s new leader on May 29, 2023, he had
been actively engaged in various domestic and international affairs. Notably,
he embarked on his first official overseas trip to Paris, France, on June 22,
2023. Alongside world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, President
Tinubu participated in the New Global Financial Pact summit held at the
historic Palais Brongniart.
President Tinubu’s dedication and engagement with both
national and international matters were indicative of his commitment to
steering Nigeria towards a prosperous and promising future.
