Shettima urges Nigerians in US to support Tinubu’s economic reforms

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those in the United States, to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in its efforts to transform the country’s economy.

 

Shettima made the call at the Nigeria House in New York during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian diaspora community in the United States.

 

He said the Federal Government was working to reposition the economy, particularly in education, healthcare, science and technology, and agriculture, while seeking to harness the expertise of Nigerians living abroad.

 

According to the Vice President, the diaspora community represents “the greatest resource of the future”, while Nigerians possess the capacity and knowledge to contribute to the country’s development.

 

Shettima said Tinubu had taken what he described as bold economic decisions since assuming office, rather than blaming his predecessor for the challenges confronting the country.

 

“When President Tinubu assumed office, he did not resort to trading blames and accusing his predecessor for the state of affairs of our nation. Rather, he took decisions that only a leader of courage and conviction would take,” he said.

 

The Vice President claimed that the reforms had produced improvements in some economic indicators, citing an increase in foreign reserves from $3.9 billion to more than $55 billion and a reported 4.45 per cent economic growth in the last quarter.

 

He said improvements in the exchange rate and foreign reserves would help strengthen the security of diaspora remittances and investments by Nigerians living abroad.

 

“We are working day and night to reposition the Nigerian nation as investment confidence is returning to Nigeria, and the Dangote Refinery success story is a true manifestation in recent times,” Shettima said.

 

He added, “Be rest assured that beyond the negative stories that you hear and see in the social media, Nigeria is open for business. We have crossed the rubicon, and we are on the path of sustained growth.”

 

Shettima also highlighted the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, saying more than 1.29 million students in tertiary institutions had accessed N125 billion since the programme began.

 

On insecurity, the Vice President acknowledged the challenges facing the country but said the administration was deploying available resources to address them.

 

He urged Nigerians to remain committed to national unity and development, saying, “whatever binds us together supersedes whatever divides us as a people.”

 

The meeting was attended by several governors, including Babagana Zulum of Borno, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.

 

Also present were Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, several federal ministers, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are, and other government officials.