Details have emerged regarding the recent meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and representatives from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), including the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Shell delegation, which comprised notable members such as Mr. Peter Costello, Mr. Osagie Okunbo, and Mr. Mar De Jong, was led by Ms. Zoe Yunovic, Global Upstream Director at Shell Petroleum Development Company.
The meeting took place at the State House in Abuja and was attended by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Ms. Olu Verheijen (Special Adviser on Energy to the President), Mr. Zacchaeus Adedeji (Special Adviser on Revenue Matters to the President), and Mr. Mele Kyari, the GMD of NNPC.
According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, President Tinubu reassured the business community of his government’s commitment to policy consistency and creating a favourable business climate to attract investment.
President Tinubu warmly welcomed SPDC’s offer for increased investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, acknowledging the urgent need for such investments to meet the government’s obligations.
He emphasised that attracting fresh investment was a personal promise he made to Nigerians, stating, “Whatever it takes, I will fulfil that promise to Nigerians.”
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness for business and assured the Shell management and other investors of his administration’s open-door policy to address their concerns. He declared, “We are open for business. We are serious. I give you the assurance of consistency in policy.”
President Tinubu also highlighted his government’s efforts to eliminate obstacles, ensuring that Nigeria becomes an attractive investment destination.
Earlier in the meeting, Ms. Yujnock, commending the “incredibly strong start” of the Tinubu presidency, expressed optimism that the government’s bold steps would rejuvenate Nigeria’s status as an investment hub. She stated that SPDC was eager to enhance its investments in the country, particularly in the gas and deep-water assets sectors, with billions of dollars to be injected.
Yujnock emphasised that Nigeria remained a strategic investment country for SPDC due to the longstanding relationship between the company and the nation’s oil and gas sector’s promising prospects.
