‘25 million Nigerians will be taken out of poverty’ – Osinbajo

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said that the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) is one of the surest platforms for attracting direct investment to the country.

Osinbajo made the observation at the 4th edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit 2021 organised by the Nigerian in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

The vice president also said that 25 million Nigerians will be taken out of poverty by 2025.

The event was held on Tuesday at the Congress Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The summit had as its theme: “Partnership and Linkages for Post-COVID Economic Growth.“

Osinbajo, who was represented by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, noted that NDIS was created to attract direct investment into the Nigerian economy.

The vice president praised Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the NiDCOM, and her team for planning the event, which he described as “apt“.

He said, “NDIS has been held annually for the past three years and this year, we know that it has successfully attracted Diaspora investment into local businesses in the country.“

Osinbajo said that the Buhari administration’s goals included increasing the country’s per capita income.

He said the administration was also intent on generating more employment.

“The projected real GDP growth between 2021 and 2025 will ensure that 10 million people do not fall into poverty.

“An additional 25 million people will be taken out of poverty and ensuring that the poverty rate will be at 31 per cent by 2025, compared to 40 per cent in 2020,” he said.