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Nigeria is moving in the right direction, economically- UN
By Modupe Shodeinde
Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, has disclosed that Nigeria’s economy is moving in the right direction though it is not fast.
She stated this during a meeting at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja.
She further described Nigeria’s economy as one with great opportunities even though it has a large population and challenges.
Mohammed said, “This is a country that is diverse in nature, ethnicity, religious backgrounds and opportunities. But these are its strengths, not weaknesses.
“And I think the narrative for Nigeria has to change to one that is very much the reality.”
She stated that after travelling by train and through various roads in the northern parts, she discovered a lot of motorable roads, although some of them were undergoing repairs.
“What I saw along the way is really a country that is growing, that is moving in the right direction both economically. Is it fast enough? No. Is it in the right direction? Yes it is.
“And the challenges still remain with security, our social cohesion and social contract between government and the people. But I know that people are working on these issues.”
She said the UN recognised the reforms in Nigeria and other nations, adding that the common global agenda was the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mohammad commended Nigeria’s quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as she expressed hope that the arrival of vaccines would be the beginning of the end of COVID-19.
She said, “You can rest assure that there will be many more pandemic, so we should be prepared with strong health systems to do so.
“We hope that the vaccines will become more available and equitable, so that everyone gets it.”
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, spoke on the Federal Government efforts to make Nigeria the entrepreneurial hub of Africa.
According to him, before the end of the first quarter of 2021, there should be a document on the government’s investment policies, as efforts were on to take Nigeria out of its mono-economy.
