The details of the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the Catshuis in The Hague, Netherlands, have emerged.
News About Nigeria reported that Tinubu on Tuesday embarked on an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In the meeting with the Prime Minister, Tinubu exposed Nigeria’s immense opportunities across various sectors, including solid minerals.
He said Nigeria is a key player in powering Europe’s clean energy future, with the country’s high-grade lithium deposits.
The president said his administration is committed to deepening reforms to enhance the investment climate and is seeking balanced and mutually beneficial partnerships.
He noted Nigeria’s dynamic youth population, with 70% under 30, presents a massive workforce and market for international investors.
He said, “We have an extremely dynamic youth population in Nigeria. It is a young country. 70% of our people are under the age of 30, and when we are referring to 200 million plus citizens, it represents both a massive workforce and a massive market for Dutch and other international investors.
“If our young people know they can achieve a good future in Nigeria, they will stay home and build our nation to greatness. Lawful migration of trained Nigerian minds and hands will be a benefit to Europe, and irregular migration will no longer be a source of fear in Europe if we partner effectively.
“This is what we want and it is why we are adamant about providing student loans and new credit opportunities to not only enhance the skills of our people but also to ensure that they can access a higher quality of life within their legitimate incomes. We will transform our economy, and our young people will be the reason why.”
Tinubu stressed his determination to provide student loans and credit opportunities to enhance skills and access a higher quality of life.
He also expressed confidence in Nigerians, citing their resilience and confidence in his leadership.
Prime Minister Rutte, in his response, acknowledged Tinubu’s economic reforms, which have boosted international investor confidence in Nigeria.
He announced $250 million in new investments, including a $100 million waste-to-wealth facility in Lagos.
Rutte praised Tinubu’s democratic governance and courageous decisions, such as removing fuel subsidies. Tinubu reiterated his commitment to developing a symbiotic economic partnership between the EU and Nigeria, prioritising mutual prosperity over one-sided relationships.
“You are promoting democratic governance and the solutions it can bring in dealing with problems of development. I saw how you went through democratic channels to remove an incumbent president in 2015 in partnership with President Buhari and how that has led to development in your country.
“I saw you take the courageous decision to deal with fuel subsidies and other reforms, and we are interested in what allowed you to take the decisions that many before you could not take. And you took those decisions early in your term. It shows rare determination. And your stand in ECOWAS, all of these point to your commitment in leadership,” the Prime Minister added.
