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Nigeria turning the corner as solid minerals draw investors’ interest – Aigbogun - BUSINESSDAY
….says country yet to scratch surface of mineral wealth
Frank Aigbogun, Publisher of BusinessDay Media, has said Nigeria is “turning the corner” as growing interest in the solid minerals sector signals renewed investor confidence in the country’s economic prospects.
Speaking at the BusinessDay mining and solid minerals conference, Aigbogun who was represented by Tayo Fagbule, editor of the BusinessDay noted that while the signs of recovery may not yet be visible to all, conversations with business leaders, investors, and industry players suggest a shift.
“For my line of work, every day we meet people and we enjoy conversations. One thing that has been consistent since the beginning of this year is how Nigeria is turning the corner. Yes, you don’t see it on the streets yet, but I think it is happening from the people we are talking to. We have people who are pulling up their cheques, we have people booking plane tickets. We go to the hotels around Lagos and I would imagine in Abuja and they are filled with expatriates”, he said.
He pointed to increased activity in the hospitality and aviation sectors, as indicators of returning investor interest. “The people who are flying in are seriously again at Nigeria,” he said.
Aigbogun identified solid minerals as one of the key sectors attracting attention, stating that global investors are increasingly drawn to countries with resource potential backed by transparency, clear accounting laws, infrastructure, and security.
“One such country, I am convinced, is Nigeria. And that is why for the second time we are having this conference and we are having the presence of the Honorable Minister and of course our partners. It shows faith in the promise that the sector holds”, he said, adding that Nigeria is even yet to scratch the surface of its mineral wealth.
“Forgive me to use a typical word, but to unearth the treasures lying beneath our ground. And we have not yet scratched the surface at all. There is huge potential waiting to be unlocked”, he said.
Aigbogun emphasised the importance of turning dialogue into action. “I hope that today will be a mutually beneficial day for us in terms of what we learn, in terms of policies that we come up with, in terms of our plans that we eventually decide to execute, but above all, that we unlock this huge potential that has been ignored for a very long time”, he said.
