Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged investors, particularly the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), to channel investments into Nigeria.
He made the call on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the IsDB, led by the Head of its Regional Hub, Hammad Hundal, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Shettima, this is an opportune moment for investors to engage with Nigeria, as President Bola Tinubu’s administration has addressed many of the longstanding issues that previously discouraged investment.
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He emphasised that the foundation laid by the Renewed Hope administration—through critical reforms in key sectors of the economy, has created a favourable environment for investment.
Shettima also highlighted the administration’s strategic interventions in human capital development, nutrition, agriculture, health, education, and the promotion of digital trade, noting that these efforts reflect a strong commitment to resolving challenges in critical sectors.
“This administration is poised to address the challenges that we have in key areas of human capital development, financial inclusion, infrastructure and nutrition. In fact, we have no option but to address most of these issues, and we will continue to act in the right direction,” he maintained.
Shettima commended Nigeria’s partnership with IsDB, describing the collaboration as one rooted firmly in the nation’s strategic interests.
He urged the IsDB to sustain its support for key government initiatives, including the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, the i-DICE project, and other interventions such as the development of a Halal economy in Nigeria.
Shettima stated, “Let us cross-pollinate ideas and collaborate on a design for your Country Engagement Framework (CEF). I want the development of a Halal economy, the promotion of digital trade, financial inclusion, and other priority areas to be reflected in your CEF. I call for deeper collaboration to help us tackle these pressing challenges.”
He further observed that the bank’s interventions in Nigeria align with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which spans multiple sectors.
Shettima called for enhanced support from the IsDB, particularly in agriculture, human capital development, gender inclusion, investment in education and healthcare infrastructure, and nutrition.
In response, the Head of the IsDB’s Regional Hub in Abuja, Hundal, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strengthening its interventions in Nigeria.
He said the bank is undertaking a comprehensive review of its Country Engagement Framework to prioritise critical aspects of Tinubu’s development agenda.
Hundal identified key focus areas, including economic infrastructure, private sector support, energy security, and the i-DICE programme.
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The highlight of the meeting was the formal presentation of the IsDB’s revised Country Engagement Framework to the Vice President by the bank’s Country Economist, Obioma Asuzu.
Asuzu explained that the CEF outlines the bank’s strategic objectives in Nigeria, which include accelerating recovery, combating poverty, building resilience, and promoting green economic growth.
She noted that the framework is guided by Nigeria’s national priorities, partnerships with key stakeholders, and a strong focus on resource mobilisation.
