The Federal Government has said that the economic and governance reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu are strengthening global confidence in Nigeria and creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and international cooperation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Sunday in London during a world press conference ahead of President Tinubu’s official visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III.
Idris said the visit underscores the historic and strategic relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, describing it as a partnership built on strong diplomatic, economic, cultural and democratic ties.
According to him, the visit will also provide an opportunity for both countries to deepen collaboration in areas such as trade and investment, security cooperation, climate action, education and technological innovation.
The minister noted that Nigeria’s democracy has continued to strengthen after more than two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance since 1999, supported by vibrant institutions, civil society and a dynamic media environment.
He said the Tinubu administration remains committed to ensuring that democracy delivers tangible benefits to citizens through the Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on stabilising the economy, expanding opportunities, strengthening social protection and investing in long-term national development.
Idris highlighted key reforms undertaken by the government, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the harmonisation of multiple foreign exchange regimes. According to him, the measures were designed to restore fiscal transparency, promote economic sustainability and improve investment predictability.
He said the reforms, alongside a series of presidential executive orders in the oil and gas sector, have made Nigeria Africa’s most attractive destination for oil and gas investment for two consecutive years, attracting more than eight billion dollars in Final Investment Decisions from major international companies.
“Each of these investment dollars represents jobs for Nigerians, technical skills development, revitalised communities and stronger revenues for governments at all levels,” he said.
Idris also disclosed that Nigeria will soon launch a Customs Single Window, a unified digital platform that will connect trade agencies, importers and exporters to streamline documentation processes and improve efficiency in international trade.
The minister further revealed that Nigeria recently exited the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force after implementing reforms to combat money laundering and illicit financial flows, a development he said strengthens the country’s credibility within the global financial system.
He added that reforms are also ongoing in the mining sector to promote transparency, eliminate speculative licence holding and ensure that only serious investors participate in the development of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
According to Idris, early signs of progress from the economic reforms are already emerging, with investor confidence improving across key sectors.
He said inflation has declined significantly since 2023, trade surplus is expanding, and the Central Bank’s Purchasing Managers’ Index has recorded 15 consecutive months of growth, reflecting renewed momentum in the manufacturing and services sectors.
The minister further stated that Nigeria’s external reserves have strengthened to over 50 billion dollars as of February 2026, with part of the reserves now held in gold as part of the country’s diversification strategy.
Idris also highlighted major infrastructure projects currently underway across the country, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline, which he said are designed to improve economic connectivity and stimulate industrial growth.
In the power sector, he said initiatives such as the Presidential Power Initiative, the Presidential Metering Initiative and the newly created Grid Asset Management Company are aimed at expanding electricity infrastructure and improving energy access nationwide.
The minister added that the government is prioritising human capital development, noting that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has already enabled more than one million students to access higher education without upfront tuition payments.
On security, Idris said the government has strengthened intelligence sharing and operational coordination among security agencies to tackle terrorism, banditry and organised crime, while also expanding cooperation with international partners, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
He also noted that the Nigerian Navy, recognised as Africa’s strongest naval fleet according to the 2026 Global Firepower Index, is leading the establishment of a Combined Maritime Task Force to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, peaceful coexistence and national unity, adding that the country’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths.
He also reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to welcome responsible investors from around the world, assuring that government policies support regulatory transparency, tax incentives and full repatriation of profits.