Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Saudi Arabian investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria, assuring them that the country is ready and open for investment.

Shettima made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the opening of the two-day Nigeria-Saudi Investment and Tourism Exhibition in Abuja, organised by Al-Yaro International Limited in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

Represented by Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, the Vice President said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had made export diversification, non-oil export growth and the creation of a globally competitive investment climate central pillars of national policy.

He said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia were positioned at the intersection of export expansion and the growing global halal economy, creating opportunities for stronger economic ties between both countries.

“Nigeria is open, Nigeria is ready. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the administration has made export diversification, non-oil export growth, a globally competitive investment climate central pillars of national policy,” he said.

Shettima said the timing of the exhibition was significant as Nigeria and Saudi Arabia seek to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, tourism, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, logistics and technology.

He urged Saudi investors to see Nigeria beyond its domestic consumer market, describing the country as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, with vast opportunities for investors seeking access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He said Increased investment from Saudi Arabia would further strengthen economic ties and unlock opportunities for businesses in both countries.

He also described Saudi Arabia as more than a source of capital, pointing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reforms that have transformed it into one of the world’s fastest-diversifying economies.

“Too often, the relationship between our two countries has been narrowed down. Nigeria is not simply a market to be served; it is Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, sitting at the gateway of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s over 1 billion consumers. Saudi Arabia, in turn, is not simply a source of capital. Under Vision 2030, it is one of the world’s most ambitious and fastest-diversifying economies, with deep expertise in precisely the sectors the summit has identified: Tourism and creative economy, Agriculture and agro-allied industries, Energy, Infrastructure, Healthcare.”

Bunu Sheriff also highlighted Nigeria’s emerging Halal Economy Strategy, explaining that the Federal Government is positioning the country to become Africa’s leading hub in the global halal market valued at more than seven trillion dollars.

According to him, “The opportunity before us is not a one-way investment, but it’s a genuine reciprocal partnership.

Nigeria has over the set… past several months been building a Nigerian Halal Economy Strategy, chaired by His Excellency himself, to position our country as Africa’s leading hub in the global Halal market that is over $7 trillion.

“This is not a peripheral undertaking. It touches agriculture and livestock, food processing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, and Islamic finance—sectors that map directly into the priorities of this summit. We already count Saudi institutions among our foundational partners in this work, including the HPDC Saudi Arabia, who in fact technically designed the strategy for us.

“We see the Halal economy as one of the most natural and under-exploited bridges between Nigeria’s productive base and Saudi Arabia’s capital, expertise, and market access across the Gulf and broader Arab world.

“To the investors and business leaders here present in the room, Nigeria offers scale in population, in agriculture and livestock endowment, and in a youthful entrepreneurial talent.”

Highlighting other advantages investing in Nigeria and trading with Nigeria, the Vice President said: “We offer proximity—geographically closer to Gulf markets than any of the world’s current Halal agricultural exporters.

“Increasingly, we offer structure—a government actively building the standards, certification, financing, and infrastructure architecture that gives investors confidence that commitments made today will be commitments honored tomorrow.”

He commended the organisers of the summit – the NiDCOM and and Al-Yaro International Limited for creating a platform that promotes people-to-people diplomacy and commercial partnerships between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia,

He added, “Diaspora-led bridges such as this are often where the most durable partnerships begin, because they are built on genuine understanding of both sides of the corridor.”

He therefore assured the gathering of the federal government commitment “to work with every serious investor in this room, through the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, through platforms such as the Halal Economy Implementation Committee, to convert the discussions of these two days into signed agreements, closed transactions, and lasting partnership.”

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called for the establishment of joint ventures between both countries.

Dabiri-Erewa identified the Nigerian diaspora as a critical driver of national development, investment and economic transformation.

Dabiri-Erewa said, “The Nigerian diaspora brings more than remittances to the country. They bring global expertise, market intelligence, credibility and strategic partnerships that can drive sustainable economic growth.”

Dabiri-Erewa noted that Saudi Arabia hosts one of the largest Nigerian communities in the Middle East, many of whom are accomplished professionals, entrepreneurs, doctors and engineers contributing significantly to the Saudi economy.

She lamented that Nigerians abroad are often portrayed negatively, insisting that the overwhelming majority are hardworking professionals making remarkable contributions across the world.

“We must change the narrative. Nigeria is blessed with outstanding professionals and entrepreneurs whose achievements deserve global recognition. They are ambassadors of our country and should be celebrated,” she added.

The NiDCOM boss said the exhibition would strengthen business-to-business engagement in sectors including energy, infrastructure, hospitality, logistics, technology, healthcare and tourism while encouraging structured investments between both countries.

She also commended Al-Yaro International Limited for initiating the platform, describing it as a practical demonstration of diaspora-led economic diplomacy capable of opening new frontiers for bilateral trade and investment.

Also Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Dabiri-Erewa described the exhibition as evidence that Nigeria is open for business.

She said Nigerians living in Saudi Arabia were instrumental in bringing Saudi investors to Nigeria to explore investment opportunities while encouraging Nigerian businesses to expand into the Saudi market.

According to her, both countries have enormous economic potential beyond religious tourism, adding that changing perceptions about Nigeria and Saudi Arabia would unlock greater opportunities for commerce, manufacturing and industrial development.

She expressed optimism that the partnerships being initiated during the exhibition would translate into concrete investments capable of creating jobs, boosting exports and strengthening economic relations between both nations. (The Nation)

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