The Nigerian government has called for collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to foster economic development and growth in the country and on the African continent. Vice President Kashim Shettima made the call during a bilateral meeting with President of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Mr. Børge Brende, on the sidelines of the ongoing annual meeting of WEF in Davos, Switzerland.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, stated that VP Shettima sought partnerships with the global body on the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) and the recharging of Lake Chad. On the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, VP Shettima said Nigeria will leverage the WEF platform to develop the gas project, addressing geopolitical challenges in Europe and the growing demand for energy due to artificial intelligence, data mining, and storage. “We seek your collaboration in fundamental areas. One is on the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) which will connect Nigeria to Morocco and other African countries,” VP Shettima said.

Nkwocha noted that VP Shettima also emphasized the importance of recharging Lake Chad, which will address the food security crisis, generate clean energy, and combat terrorism. “There is an incestuous relationship between economy and ecology in the Sahelian region. The challenges of Boko Haram and ISWAP might not be disconnected from the realities of existential threats we are facing,” VP Shettima stated.

VP Shettima also informed the WEF President about the ongoing reforms being undertaken by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the Nigerian President has returned Nigeria to the path of sustained economic growth. “Most importantly, we are talking about the present. My leader and my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is someone who also grew up in the finance ecosystem… Our economy has turned the corner, we have crossed the Rubicon and we’re now on the path to sustained economic growth,” he stated.

Nkwocha added that VP Shettima invited the WEF President to Nigeria to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while also intimating him of Nigeria’s readiness to host the WEF Africa. VP Shettima underscored the importance of fostering collaboration with WEF, noting that Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and the most populous nation, with 250 million people. “And by 2050, we will be the third most populous nation on earth, surpassing the United States. By the end of the century, Nigeria will be the most populous nation on earth,” he added.