Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda attracts global attention as both nations eye key partnerships in energy, tech, and trade
● Chijioke Ogbodo
TUNIS, May, 2025 – Nigeria and Tunisia are set to strengthen their bilateral relations with a renewed push toward robust economic and diplomatic collaboration across critical sectors including energy, technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, education, and the creative economy.
This commitment was reaffirmed by the Federal Government of Nigeria at the ongoing 8th Financing Investment and Trade in Africa (FITA) Conference 2025, organized by the Tunisia-Africa Business Council (TABC) in Tunis.
Speaking at the high-level conference, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasized the need for deeper cooperation between the two countries. Represented by the Director of Foreign Service Reform and Innovation, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, the minister disclosed plans to actualize the Nigeria-Tunisia Joint Commission between September and October 2025.
Originally scheduled to be hosted by Tunisia in 2020, the joint commission was shelved due to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, both nations are now poised to revive and expand the scope of collaboration.
According to a press release by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the minister, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that “working closely, both countries can chart a new course that will benefit their economies and strengthen Africa’s competitiveness on the global stage.”
She added that economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda had created fresh opportunities for investment and urged Tunisian businesses to leverage these openings.
R-L: Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; and Director of Foreign Service Reform and Innovation, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi.
To build lasting economic frameworks, the minister called for the revival of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), the conclusion of the Visa-Free Agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, and the finalisation of a pending Military Cooperation Agreement.
Additionally, the minister advocated the formation of a Nigeria-Tunisia Business Council and the expansion of technical cooperation in climate research, smart agriculture, ICT – particularly fintech – and innovation hubs. She also spotlighted areas such as digital literacy, pharmaceutical manufacturing, renewable energy, and investment protection agreements as vital pillars of future cooperation.
On the sidelines of the conference segment titled “Investing in Nigeria”, Akinremi asserted Nigeria’s readiness for global partnerships.
“Ease of doing business is what any investor looks for, but Nigeria has a compelling environment for any investor that wants to come. I don’t know anywhere in the world where there are no challenges, but in Nigeria, government is doing a lot to tackle these challenges and peace has come down, investors are very well all over. They are repatriating their monies with ease,” he stated.
“So, it’s not like previously where money could not be easily repatriated. This has been taken care of. We have an environment that incubates business, that makes it very, very easy for business to prosper, and this is why when you come to Nigeria, you find out that everybody is feeling at home.”
Highlighting Nigeria as a “business incubator,” Akinremi also revealed plans for a joint tourism package with Tunisia and emphasized the country’s Global Business Match initiative that connects Nigerian businesses with foreign partners.
“From my ministry, we have what we call global business match where we are able to match our businesses in Nigeria with other foreign businesses. So, Nigeria is not just open for businesses, Nigeria is doing business and we have the capacity to make you a global brand. There is no business that comes to Nigeria and fails,” he noted.
Nigeria’s delegation to FITA 2025 also included prominent figures such as Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; and Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi – all of whom echoed confidence in Nigeria’s evolving investment climate.
Their presence and collective messages projected a resounding endorsement of Nigeria as Africa’s emerging investment haven, powered by policy reforms, peace-building efforts, and strong bilateral initiatives. GMTNewsng
