President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured business people of a “handsome returns” on their investment in Nigeria. He made the remark while meeting with six different groups of
investors on the sidelines of the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates and was contained in a statement forwarded to DAILY
POST by his Media Aide, Femi Adesina.
Buhari told the investors that, “Come to Nigeria and prosper. Come
and have handsome returns on your investments, within the shortest
possible time.”
The statement reveals that, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum is a member of
the Dubai ruling family. He is also a private investor and member of
several boards of companies, both state-owned and private. He is
interested in establishing a power plant in Lagos, and studies have
already been completed.
Lulu Group operates a chain of supermarkets in the Middle East and
Asia. 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 a 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.
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.
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has supported over 66 projects
in 29 African countries. They include 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 were not concluded, till the Nigerian
president had met with Mr Jitender Sachdeva, CEO Skipperseil Group. An
integrated energy company with operations in the manufacturing of
substation equipment, discussions were on engineering processing,
construction of transmission lines and substations for utilities,
institutions and industries.
The company’s CEO expressed delight at meeting with President Buhari, and looked forward to doing good business in Nigeria.