The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to yield measurable results, citing improvements in Nigeria’s foreign reserves and its global financial standing.
Idris stated this on Thursday while receiving a courtesy visit from the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, in Abuja.
According to the information minister, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have surpassed the 50-billion-dollar mark for the first time in 13 years, describing the development as a major signal of economic recovery and growing investor confidence.
He also noted that Nigeria’s removal from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force sends a positive message to investors worldwide that the country is open and ready for legitimate business.
Idris reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation remains committed to amplifying the Federal Government’s policies and programmes, particularly those designed to strengthen the economic environment and attract investment.
He explained that the ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring that Nigerians and the international community understand the reforms being implemented by the Tinubu administration and the opportunities they present for economic growth.
“The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is always about servicing you, amplifying the work that you do, and ensuring that we ventilate some of those programmes and policies so that Nigerians and people outside Nigeria will really understand what it is that you do,” Idris said.
The minister also highlighted ongoing efforts by the administration to strengthen critical infrastructure needed for industrialisation, including reforms in the power sector aimed at ensuring more reliable electricity supply for businesses and industries.
Earlier, Oduwole said her visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in promoting the ministry’s programmes and policy direction as Nigeria seeks to boost industrialisation, expand trade and increase non-oil exports.
She explained that the ministry is focusing on unlocking global and regional demand for Nigerian products, strengthening domestic industrial capacity and mobilising strategic investments to support economic transformation.
“Telling our story is a responsibility for us as an administration. With all that we have done in the last three years, it is important to amplify the concrete evidence of the reforms that have been implemented,” she said.
Oduwole also highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in regional and global trade initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, as part of efforts to position Nigerian businesses to compete effectively in regional and international markets.
Those present at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam; Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Bulama; Director of Public Communication, Barrister Henshaw Ogubike; Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna; the Special Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs A. P. Okala; and other senior officials.