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The director general of the City Boys Movement, Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, said the atmosphere in London during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit was “the definitive turning point for Nigeria’s industrial future”.
Shoga, who spoke to journalists upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday after participating in the historic UK-Nigeria trade mission, confirmed the £24 million commitment to build Africa’s first manufacturing facility in Lagos.
Shoga said: “It’s not just a rumour; it’s a historical reality. I can confirm that Twinings Ovaltine has committed £24 million to build its first African manufacturing plant right here in Lagos. This isn’t just a malt drink. This is a global British giant saying: ‘We trust the Nigerian environment enough to move our production here. This will create hundreds of direct jobs and transform Lagos into a supply hub for the entire West African sub-region.”
The City Boys Movement DG also explained the $496 million Integrated Dairy Deal: “One of the most transformative deals signed was the $496 million Integrated Dairy Deal. For too long, Nigeria has spent billions of dollars a year importing dairy products. This deal is the game-changer. We are bringing expertise to the UK to build climate-controlled mega dairy farms and high-tech processing plants.
“It’s not just about cows; it’s about a complete value chain: from bovine genetics that will increase milk production by more than 400% to the cold chain logistics that ensure fresh Nigerian milk reaches every table without spoiling. We are moving from being a nation of consumers to producers, creating thousands of rural jobs in the process.”
On the £746 million deal to modernize the ports, he said: “This is what should excite every oil and gas industrialist and professional. A £746 million deal has been signed to renovate and modernize the ports of Apapa and Tin Can Island. We are talking about state-of-the-art docks and digital border systems. This will put an end to the bottlenecks that have frustrated our exporters for decades. The City Boys Movement is proud to to see the President’s vision for infrastructure manifest in such a massive and externally funded way.”
Shoga further highlighted the key point of President Tinubu’s state visit, which according to him is the record trading volume of P8.1 billion.
He said: “For the first time in our history, bilateral trade with the UK has reached £8.1 billion a year. This is the result of a deliberate ‘renewed hope’ diplomacy. We have seen deals spanning fintech, agriculture and energy. When you see Zenith Bank opening branches in Manchester and companies like Moniepoint expanding into the UK, you realize that the bridge between Lagos and London is no longer one-way. It is a partnership of equals.
”I return with a clear message for Nigerians: the world is still betting on us. The President has opened the doors; now it is up to our local industries to walk through them. The City Boys Movement remains committed to supporting policies that bring foreign direct investment to our doors.
“This is why we support the continuity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
