Former presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has describedNigeria as Africa’s leading investment destination, citing its youthfulpopulation and economic potential. Obi, who was a guest speaker at the 4th Africa Day eventorganised by the Club des Entrepreneurs Monégasques en Afrique, CEMA, in Monacoon Monday, November 17, said Africa remains the “continent of tomorrow” due toits abundant human and natural resources. He noted that by 2050, Nigeria’s population is projected toreach about 320 million, with an estimated 200 million youths who could driveinnovation, productivity and growth. According to him, the country’s long-term economic successis dependent on leaders with “capacity, compassion, character and commitment”to implement the right policies while reducing waste and corruption. Obi stressed that prioritising investment in security,health, education and poverty alleviation could help Nigeria grow its economyto about $2 trillion by 2050 and achieve a per capita income of around $7,000. He wrote: “Why Nigeria Remains Africa’s Greatest InvestmentFrontier “Yesterday, Monday, 17th November, I was in Monaco as aguest speaker at the 4th Africa Day event, organised by the Club desEntrepreneurs Monégasques en Afrique (CEMA). I spoke on the future of Africa,especially Nigeria, by 2050. “In my presentation, I reemphasised the fact that Africaremains the continent of tomorrow, blessed with enormous resources,particularly its youthful population—60% of whom are young people who willdrive innovation and productivity. “By 2050, Nigeria is projected to have a population of about320 million, with roughly 200 million youths in their productive age. Withcompetent leadership—leadership with capacity, compassion, character, andcommitment—to faithfully and simultaneously implement the right developmentalpolicies, while drastically reducing waste and corruption, Nigeria can achieveremarkable progress. “With a firm commitment to invest strictly in critical areasof development: security, health, education, and poverty alleviation, Nigeriawill be able to grow from 2030 to 2050, reaching an economy of about $2trillion and approximately $7,000 per capita. By sustaining this growthtrajectory, Nigeria can meet the Goldman Sachs projection of about $13 trillionGDP and $30,000 per capita by 2075. “I passionately urged all attendees to the event to investin Africa, especially Nigeria, as their gateway into the continent, in view ofthe immense opportunities ahead. “I reassured them of a new Nigeria that is Possible andindeed a new Africa that is also POssible.”
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