President Bola Tinubu has welcomed Qatari investment plans in Nigeria’s agriculture sector and reaffirmed the country’s openness to deeper strategic partnerships.

Speaking Friday at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu hosted Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, the special envoy of the Amir of Qatar, who delivered a message expressing Qatar’s intent to broaden cooperation with Nigeria.

Dr. Al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, revealed that a high-powered Qatari business delegation will visit Nigeria soon to explore investment prospects in agriculture, food security, and other priority areas.

President Tinubu stressed the importance of building on the progress made during his 2024 state visit to Qatar, stating, “We are grateful to God for what we have experienced as partners in progress… I am also glad that the Amir of Qatar greatly remembers the issues discussed during my visit last year.”

He directed three key ministers—Budget and Economic Planning, Information and National Orientation, and Foreign Affairs—to fast-track the implementation of all bilateral agreements.

Commending Qatar’s role in global peace efforts, Tinubu noted: “I am proud of your efforts to bring peace and stability to the world. Like you, we are sandwiched between the challenge of terrorism and helping our neighbours.”

The President also discussed domestic reforms aimed at improving the investment climate: “We are making efforts to reform our tax system… I made tough decisions so that we could grow. We are gradually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Tinubu urged more humanitarian collaboration, saying, “You have done well in developing a knowledge-based economy in Qatar, but what about Nigeria?”

He emphasised food security and economic growth as key areas for partnership: “We want to continue to promote good relations with you. We are ready to do whatever we can do from here.”

Dr. Al-Khulaifi echoed the Amir’s commitment to strengthening ties, especially in agriculture, petrochemicals, and peace-building. “We are proud of the level of relations we have reached with Nigeria… We have some companies telling us that we should create a way for them to come into Nigeria,” he said.

“The message I have from His Highness, Amir of Qatar, is that he wants Nigeria to be a strategic partner in Africa,” the envoy concluded.