President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured potential investors of handsome returns if they invest in Nigeria.
Buhari, who met with six different groups of investors at the sidelines of the ongoing Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai, UAE told the investors that prosperity awaits them and within the shortest possible time if they come to Nigeria.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Monday, said the President met with potential investors in the power, real estate and agric sectors.
According to the statement, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai ruling family and a private investor is interested in establishing a power plant in Lagos and already, studies have been completed for the project.
Adesina listed other investors that met with President Buhari to include Lulu Group which operates a chain of supermarkets in the Middle East and Asia. He said: “Mr Yusuff Alli, Chairman of the group, told President Buhari that the outfit, with headquarters in Abu Dhabi, has over 164 supermarkets and shopping malls. It employs over 50,000 people.
“The interest is to work with Nigerian farmers, using local produce to ensure food security. Quality, affordability and hygiene are the watchwords of the company.
“Also in bilateral meeting with President Buhari was Sheikh Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of Amea Power. The company develops, owns, and operates thermal and renewable energy projects in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Its wide range of power solutions include conventional – gas, coal, oil, and renewable – solar, wind and hydro.
“Apart from power, the company, which owns Rotana Hotel chain, is also interested in the hospitality sector in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: FG, Islamic Development Bank Sign $523.8m Technical Assistant Grant
“Also on cue was Sheikh Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairman, Nakheel Properties and Limitless Group.
“One of the world’s leading developers and a major contributor to Dubai’s real estate transformation, the company’s current and future retail project portfolio covers nearly 17 million square feet of leasable space. They are keen to expand their investments in Nigeria.
“Sheikh Khalid Bin Kalban is the CEO of Dubai Investments. His meeting with the Nigerian president centred around real estate, processing industries, mergers and acquisitions, health care, education, and financial investments.”
The Presidential aide disclosed that the President also held talks with Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD, which has supported over 66 projects in 29 African countries; “including rural solar power and water projects and that was the focus of the discussion, as Sheikh Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, the CEO, met with President Buhari.”
The bilateral sessions equally included a meeting between Nigeria’s President and Mr Jitender Sachdeva, CEO Skipperseil Group, an integrated energy company with operations in the manufacturing of substation equipment.
According Adesina, discussions between the two centred on engineering processing, construction of transmission lines and substations for utilities, institutions and industries.
He said Sachdeva expressed delight at meeting with President Buhari, and looked forward to doing good business in Nigeria.
