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L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media, Otega Ogra, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare during an interactive session with Nigerian media professionals in the UK at the Hilton Kensington Hotel, London, ahead of President Bola’s state visit Tinubu
The ongoing economic and governance reforms in Nigeria under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu are boosting global confidence in the country and opening up new opportunities for trade, investment and international cooperation, Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris, has said.
The minister was speaking at a global press conference in London on Sunday ahead of President Tinubu’s official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III.
“This visit highlights the historic and strategic relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, a partnership built on deep diplomatic, economic, cultural and democratic ties,” the Minister said.
Idris noted that the visit provides an opportunity to deepen collaboration between the two countries in key areas, including trade and investment, security cooperation, climate action, education and technological innovation.
He explained that Nigeria’s democracy continues to strengthen after more than two decades of uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999, supported by vibrant institutions, an active civil society and a dynamic media environment.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu’s administration is committed to ensuring that democracy delivers real benefits to citizens through the Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on stabilizing the economy, expanding opportunities, strengthening social protection and investing in long-term national development.
Idris highlighted several key reforms undertaken by the government, including the removal of oil subsidies and the harmonization of multiple exchange rate regimes, both designed to restore fiscal transparency, promote economic sustainability and improve investment predictability.
He said these reforms, coupled with a series of presidential executive orders in the oil and gas sector, have made Nigeria Africa’s most attractive destination for oil and gas investment for two consecutive years, attracting over eight billion dollars in final investment decisions from major international companies. “Each of these investment dollars represents jobs for Nigerians, technical skills development, revitalized communities and stronger revenues for governments at all levels,” the Minister said.
The minister also announced that Nigeria will soon launch a historic Customs Single Window, a unified digital platform that will connect trade agencies, importers and exporters to streamline documentation processes and significantly improve efficiency in international trade.
He further revealed that Nigeria recently exited the Financial Action Task Force’s gray list after implementing significant reforms to combat money laundering and illicit financial flows, a development that strengthens the country’s credibility within the global financial system and improves ease of doing business.
Idris added that the government is implementing reforms in the mining sector to promote transparency, eliminate speculative licensing and ensure that only serious investors participate in the development of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
According to the Minister, the first signs of progress resulting from economic reforms are already visible, with an improvement in investor confidence in all key sectors of the economy. “Inflation has halved since 2023, the trade surplus is expanding and the Central Bank’s Purchasing Managers’ Index has recorded fifteen consecutive months of growth, reflecting renewed momentum in Nigeria’s manufacturing and services sectors,” he said.
He further revealed that Nigeria’s external reserves have strengthened significantly, surpassing the $50 billion mark as of February 2026, with part of the reserves now held in gold as part of the country’s diversification strategy.
The minister also highlighted major infrastructure investments currently underway across the country, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Expressway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, all designed to improve economic connectivity and strengthen industrial growth.
In the energy sector, Idris noted that initiatives such as the Presidential Power Initiative, the Presidential Metering Initiative and the new Grid Asset Management Company are part of broader efforts to expand electricity infrastructure and improve access to energy across the country.
The Minister said the administration was also prioritizing human capital development, noting that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has already enabled more than one million students to access higher education without the burden of prepayment of tuition fees.
On security, Idris said the Government has strengthened intelligence sharing and operational coordination between security agencies to counter terrorism, banditry and organized crime, while expanding cooperation with international partners, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
He noted that the Nigerian Navy, recognized as Africa’s strongest naval fleet according to the Global Firepower Index 2026, is leading the creation of a combined maritime task force to protect the Gulf of Guinea.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, peaceful coexistence and national unity, underlining that the country’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths.
Idris further highlighted that Nigeria continues to play a leading role in regional and global affairs, contributing to peacekeeping operations, regional diplomacy and international cooperation in addressing shared challenges such as climate change, migration and energy security.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to responsible investors from around the world, ensuring that government policies support regulatory transparency, tax incentives and full profit repatriation. “We deeply value our long-standing partnership with the UK and look forward to strengthening the collaboration in the years ahead,” the Minister added.
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