President Bola Tinubu has assured the Chairman of Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal, that his administration is committed to creating a pro-business environment in Nigeria. The President made this known during a meeting with Mittal at the State House in Abuja, where he stated that the telecoms sector’s regulatory framework and operations would be reviewed to reflect global best practices, with a greater focus on protecting infrastructure.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that President Tinubu expressed his gratitude to Mittal for his openness, readiness, and confidence in Nigeria’s economic policies. “I am grateful for your openness, readiness, and confidence, which moved us very close to the Prime Minister of India. When he was here, we discussed things at length,” President Tinubu said. Onanuga also stated that the President assured Mittal that his administration is prepared to learn from other countries, including India, and implement policies that would promote economic growth.

President Tinubu noted that tax reforms would be implemented to create a more favourable climate for investors. “We will find a way to work with tax administrators to ensure that whatever we have to do, we will encourage growth and opportunities. We are ready to do that,” he said. Mittal commended the President for his economic reforms, stating that they have transformed the economy for future growth. He also praised the removal of the petrol subsidy, describing it as a tough but necessary decision.

Mittal expressed his support for Nigeria’s economic policies, stating that they would attract foreign investments to the country. He also announced plans by Airtel to invest $700 million in Nigeria over the next two years. Onanuga stated that the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, thanked the President for consistently supporting the telecoms sector’s growth.

Tijani noted that the approval by the President for the protection of fibre optic and undersea cables as critical national assets would further stimulate growth in the industry. Onanuga also stated that Mittal advised that more Nigerians should be encouraged to invest in the country, particularly those with huge financial portfolios abroad. “I have been speaking to people in Nigeria, friends and business people, and they are all now feeling calm, and when they start to get back, they will move very fast. I have experienced this in India,” Mittal said.