Chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Bayo Ogunlesi, says Nigeria has become an exciting destination for investors, revealing plans by his company to expand its footprint in the country.
“We’re making investments in Nigeria. We explored additional opportunities. I’m not going to tell you what they are. Just wait, watch this space, you will see them,” Ogunlesi said after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
“Look, Nigeria is now a place that is exciting to invest in, and that’s what we talked to Mr. President about. And of course, as you would expect, he was very encouraging of international investments in Nigeria.”
Ogunlesi said their discussion focused on Nigeria’s economic transformation over the past two years. “Think about it, removal of subsidy, tax reform, a refinery that’s exporting aviation fuel, unification of the road ownership system. The next step is how to encourage international investment in Nigeria to drive economic growth.”
He described the meeting as “wonderful,” noting that both sides exchanged ideas on positioning Nigeria “front and centre on the map for international investments.”
Ogunlesi said GIP plans to expand across energy, gas, and renewable sectors. “We invest in energy we’re building LNG plants in Texas and Australia. There’s gas in Nigeria. Nigeria is a huge gas province,” he said.
He also highlighted aviation and ports as areas of interest. “People describe me as a guy who bought Gatwick Airport. I didn’t personally buy Gatwick Airport. I confessed to Mr. President that one of our companies has ports in Cotonou and Lome, none in Nigeria. I asked for his forgiveness and understanding, and he said, you have to bring port investment to Nigeria.”
Ogunlesi added that GIP is considering renewable energy investments, saying, “There are lots of investment opportunities in Nigeria. You just have to be serious about making the right moves.”
Also speaking, Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman of Metis Capital, commended President Tinubu’s reforms for making the country more attractive to investors. “When Nigerians at home and in the diaspora invest in the country, it sends a strong signal to the international community to follow suit,” he said. “We thank President Tinubu for his policies. They have made Nigeria investable.”
