The Korea Post special correspondent, Emmanuel Ozoemena, Abuja, Nigeria writes that the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu is raising the bar on the country’s participation at the global arena where he consistently promotes the Nigeria brand to investors and business leaders. Tinubu in the last seven months has demonstrated focus and resilience after winning election and post election litigations in court, to focus on attracting investment to Africa’s largest market, Nigeria.
A New Dawn
Dateline. May 29, 2023. The change of guard in Nigeria’s leadership command with Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the oath of office as new president and commander in chief.
Nigeria is Africa’s largest democracy with a population of 230 million people. Tinubu was declared the winner in a keenly contested presidential election held on February 25, 2023. His ascension to power at Nigeria’s new leader, marks the beginning of a new administration. The journey towards the consolidation of democracy in the country began 24 years ago, precisely on May 29, 1999.
Commonly, referred to as the Fourth Republic in the country’s political lexicon, it is the longest uninterrupted democratic rule in 63 years since independence. Periodic elections are held every four years. The 2023 election was the seventh elections since 1999 with over 90 millions of voters took part in the exercise across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Though, the 2023 general election according to analysts and insiders on Nigerian affairs, was considered as unprecedented moment given The enthusiasm shown by the people. A total of 18 political parties participated in the election.
Additionally, the election had a quartet of Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state (1999 to 2007), as the flagbearer of All Progressives Congress (APC); a veteran politician and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar (1999 to 2007), as the flagbearer of Peoples Democratic Party; and a former governor of Anambra state and politician, Peter Obi as candidate of Labour Party as front runners.
Additionally, 2023 election had a total of 18 presidential candidates, who sought to lead Africa’s largest democracy, and economy. It was a litmus test for democracy with all eyes on Nigeria to pass this hurdle unscathed.
Political activities leading to the election as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Act 2022 were scheduled within a one-year period from the nomination of candidates, conventions by political parties to nominate their candidates, political campaigns process, and the election day voting activities, Others include the process of release of results of winners for various positions from federal to local levels positions.
Tinubu’s Ascension to Presidency
At the end voting and tally of votes cast in the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flagbearer, Bola Tinubu was declared winner of the election by the election management body, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). He scored secured the highest number of votes cast in the election across Nigeria’s 176,000 polling units. His two main challengers, Atiku and Obi came second and third respectively according to the result released by the INEC.
As usually in democratic politics, the process of post election litigation commenced in the court. The duo of Atiku, PDP and Obi LP decided to challenged the declaration of Mr. Tinubu as the winner of the election at election Tribunal. Thereafter, both the presidential election tribunal and the Supreme Court as an appeal court affirmed that Tinubu, APC candidate, was dully elected president of Nigeria.
With the election legal challenge over, it was time to build the Nigeria’s political, economic, and social cohesion, which is the focus of the President, Tinubu. The president reached out to his opposition candidates and parties to join hands with him in building the nation.
Advancing the Nigeria Brand
Since May 2023, President Tinubu has ensured active participation of Nigeria at the global arena as a key member of the international community. He has continually engaged with other world leaders to advance the interest of Nigeria, the largest democracy in Africa.
In the course of these international engagements, advancing mutual cooperation, highlighting investment opportunities and the ongoing economic reforms in the country has featured in his discussion and public presentations at these meetings.
The Nigerian president is leading from the front as the chief marketer of Nigeria brand, which he has pursued with passion and consistency. In his various meetings and discussions with investors and business community at international fora and home, he continues to headline the huge opportunities and benefits of investing in Nigeria.
The Nigeria brand offers high return on investment which is the bottom line for investors, businesses and capital. So, there fore, it makes sense investing in several sectors, where Nigeria has comparative advantage.
President Tinubu demonstrates passion while engaging with investors and businesses on why they should consider investing in the country. He has initiated reforms in key sectors of the economy to creative the needed incentives for investment.
He has remained focus with the commitment to engage with investors and business leaders at the global summits held in Paris, France; New Delhi India ; the United Nations General Assembly, in New York; Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and others where he continues reaffirm the Nigeria brand message to the audience from across the world to consider investing in Nigeria, as the number investment destination in Africa.
More importantly, he has spent considerable amount of time in discussion with world leaders, during sideline meetings at these international fora to build the necessary engagement with his colleague presidents to get their buy-in in deepening cooperation between Nigeria and their countries.
Nigeria has competitive advantage in several key sectors including agriculture, solid minerals, oil and gas, technology, financial services, among others. Given the size of her market which is the largest in Africa, it natural that investors will gravitate towards the country, as it offers high return on investment.
Advancing Korea – Nigeria Relations
Recall that the Nigeria’s president, Tinubu also first meeting with Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol during the G-20 Summit, in September 2023, in New Delhi, India where both leaders discussed issues of mutual benefits to both countries.
Follow up discussions and bilateral exchanges on outcomes of the meeting continues ahead of the upcoming Korea – Africa Summit scheduled for June 2024 in South Korea. Nigeria’s participation at the Summit will further deepen the ongoing cooperation between both countries in a significant ways. In January 2023, a special Envoy of the Korean leader, President Yoon Sul Yell was in Abuja, Nigeria to deliver a special message from the Korean leader to President Tinubu as part of the follow up to the earlier meeting in New Delhi, India. Expectation are high that Korea – Nigeria relations will continue to grow stronger as both nations share so much in common as well as the aspiration to build stronger democracy based on rule of law, respect for human dignity and social justice.
Africa as the Centre Piece
Tinubu has aggressively played key role in the African regional affairs where Nigeria continues to demonstrate leadership among the comity of nations at the continental stage.
Nigeria also still maintains active part in the West Africa sub- region where the Nigeria’s president is the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, ECOWAS has mediated in several governance conflicts in some member states, including Niger, where a democratic elected government of Mohamed Bazoum was removed in a military coup.
ECOWAS has been consistent in engaging the military regime in Niger to come to the table to discuss the return of the West African nation, Niger back to democracy. Also, the sub regional body has imposed sanctions as a deterant to force the military junta to restore democratic governance in Niger as soon as possible.
Additionally, the ECOWAS leadership is engage with the military regimes in Burkina Faso and Mali to find truce that will lead to early returns to democracy in their countries. For President Tinubu, his key message has always been that there is no substitute to democratic governance. His engagement to see the military, remain on the traditional role of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation remains key.
He canvasses for African leaders to continue to deliver good governance as the fulcrum to discourage coups de tat from the continent. Nigeria continues role at the international arena is confirmation of her strong belief that global partnership is vitalin making the world a better, safe and prosperous for all.