Tinubu’s reforms bolstering global confidence, Nigeria-UK ties – Minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has declared that
Nigeria’s ongoing economic and governance reforms under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration are significantly enhancing international confidence and unlocking fresh corridors for trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation.
Speaking on Sunday during a World Press Conference in London, held ahead of the President’s official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III, the Minister characterized the upcoming visit as a pivotal moment for the historic and strategic relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting that the engagement aims to deepen collaboration in essential sectors such as security, climate action, technological innovation, and education.
He underscored that Nigeria’s democracy, now spanning over two decades of uninterrupted governance, remains a beacon of stability supported by a vibrant media and active civil society.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, he noted that the administration is focused on ensuring these democratic ideals translate into tangible economic benefits and expanded social protections for all citizens.
During the briefing, Idris highlighted several transformative fiscal policies, specifically the removal of the petrol subsidy and the harmonization of foreign exchange regimes.
These measures, he argued, were necessary to restore transparency and improve investment predictability.
He further noted that executive orders in the oil and gas sector have positioned Nigeria as Africa’s premier destination for energy investment for two consecutive years, securing over $8 billion in Final Investment Decisions.
Beyond the energy sector, the Minister announced the imminent launch of a National Single Window to digitize and streamline international trade, alongside Nigeria’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, a move that bolsters the nation’s credibility within the global financial system.
Evidence of economic recovery is already surfacing, according to the Minister, who reported that inflation has halved since 2023.
He pointed to fifteen consecutive months of growth in the Central Bank’s Purchasing Managers’ Index and a significant strengthening of external reserves, which surpassed the $50 billion mark in February 2026.
Part of these reserves is now strategically held in gold to diversify national assets. Parallel to these fiscal gains, the government is executing massive infrastructure projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, alongside power sector initiatives like the Presidential Metering Initiative to bridge the energy gap.
Addressing human capital and security, Idris revealed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has already supported over one million students in accessing higher education.
On the security front, he noted enhanced intelligence coordination to combat domestic threats and highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s status as Africa’s strongest fleet according to the 2026 Global Firepower Index.
This maritime strength is currently being leveraged to lead a Combined Maritime Task Force in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and its role as a regional leader, inviting responsible global investors to take advantage of the country’s transparent regulatory environment and tax incentives.