Tinubu Turns Foreign Visits into Lifelines: Partnerships to Cut Costs, Create Jobs, and Restore Confidence

By Gbenga Abiola, National Coordinator, Tinubu Media Force (TMF)

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s roadmap for Nigeria’s growth has proven to be truly phenomenal, with every official trip abroad yielding unprecedented benefits for the nation’s economy and its people. In line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto and the promises he made during the 2023 elections, the President has pursued a bold strategy of economic diplomacy, using each international engagement to attract investment, strengthen trade partnerships, and open new opportunities for Nigerians. His approach has been focused on easing the economic burden on households, addressing the challenges of food security, job creation, and infrastructure, while positioning Nigeria as a credible global player and the economic powerhouse of Africa.

President Tinubu’s international engagements are delivering visible dividends for Nigerians, with every visit abroad translating into fresh economic opportunities. From agriculture in Brazil to technology in Japan, and investment pledges from India to aviation breakthroughs in the United Arab Emirates, the President’s strategic diplomacy is easing pressure on the nation’s economy while creating pathways for long-term growth. According to the Tinubu Media Force (TMF), these visits are not ceremonial but carefully structured to bring immediate and long-lasting relief to Nigerian households.

The Brazil trip has been particularly significant. Tinubu successfully revived the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Agreement, unlocking partnerships that will introduce mechanized farming and agro-industrial parks across Nigeria. For millions of Nigerians struggling with rising food prices, the impact could be transformative. With Brazil’s expertise in large-scale agriculture and livestock management, local production of rice, maize, and other staples is expected to rise, easing dependence on costly imports. Analysts project that the scheme could directly create over 100,000 jobs and five million indirect opportunities while helping to bring down the cost of food that has stretched household budgets in recent years. TMF stresses that this breakthrough is one of the clearest signs yet that the administration’s foreign policy is directly tackling the cost-of-living crisis.

Tinubu’s diplomatic efforts focus to Asia, where his visit to Japan reinforced Nigeria’s drive towards industrial growth and technology transfer. Japan pledged support in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and automobile assembly. For Nigerians, this could mean more stable electricity in the future, the growth of smart cities, and affordable locally assembled cars. Vocational training agreements reached in Tokyo are also aimed at equipping Nigeria’s youth, who make up more than 60 percent of the population, with skills in engineering and advanced manufacturing. The Tinubu Media Force emphasizes that these youth-focused agreements are vital to creating a generation of globally competitive Nigerian professionals.

At the G20 Summit in India, Tinubu secured billions of dollars in infrastructure and energy pledges. In the United Arab Emirates, strategic negotiations reopened aviation corridors and deepened cooperation in oil and gas. Together, these efforts have helped attract over $5 billion in foreign direct investment within two years, restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s economic outlook. TMF underscores that these achievements show the world’s renewed confidence in Nigeria under Tinubu’s leadership, a confidence that is steadily translating into tangible economic benefits for ordinary citizens.

The effects on ordinary Nigerians are clear. Agro-industrial development from Brazil will help curb food inflation. Japanese investments will create skilled jobs and reduce import bills on vehicles. Aviation deals with Brazil and the United Arab Emirates promise to ease travel costs for businesspeople and traders. Each initiative contributes to reducing household expenses, boosting incomes, and expanding opportunities for young people.

Beyond the numbers, Tinubu’s approach has repositioned Nigeria’s global image. By engaging both established powers like Japan and Brazil and emerging markets like India, the country is increasingly seen as a credible partner rather than a passive player. This renewed image enhances Nigeria’s bargaining power in international forums and ensures its voice is heard in shaping global economic policy.

As Nigeria continues to navigate tough domestic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification, the President’s international drive offers a much-needed cushion. By securing partnerships that promise cheaper food, better jobs, improved power supply, and stronger industries, Tinubu is laying the foundation for the kind of inclusive prosperity that will make present sacrifices worthwhile. For millions of families facing economic pressure, these gains provide renewed hope that Nigeria’s future is firmly tied to progress and opportunity.

Gbenga Abiola

National Coordinator, Tinubu Media Force (TMF).

Ambode disburses N1bn to 705 beneficiaries of N25bn ETF

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday, January 26, 2017, presented cheques worth over N1billion to 705 beneficiaries of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (ETF) pilot scheme, charging them to utilise the funds responsibly to grow their businesses, create jobs for the unemployed youths and contribute to the growth of the Lagos economy.

Governor Ambode, who made the presentation at the LTV Blue Roof, Ikeja,

Lagos, said his administration identified unemployment as a major socio-economic challenge facing Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole in the course of the electoral campaign, and thus prioritised job creation.

He said the setting up of the ETF was a direct response to address the challenge of unemployment as well as provide support to the youths, entrepreneurs, artisans and other unemployed residents of the State.

“We have kept our word. We created a dedicated Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, whose mission is to promote and sustain entrepreneurship and employment,” the Governor said.

Governor Ambode, while commending the Board and Management of the Fund for embarking on a comprehensive review of the business environment and developing a strategic framework and operating guidelines to ensure the sustainable and successful management of these funds, said the successful disbursement was a product of the painstaking effort.

He said the funds are targeted at small and medium scale businesses and individuals including carpenters, hairdressers, electricians, automobile parts repairers, block makers, bakers, fashion designers, cake makers, food sellers, kerosene retailers, mobile money agents, painters, plumbers, photographers and light manufacturers of liquid soaps and water among others.

“These beneficiaries are making history as the first set of beneficiaries of this Employment Trust Fund, and my charge to you is simple: You must use these funds responsibly, grow your businesses, create jobs for our unemployed youths and contribute to the growth of the Lagos State GDP. The idea is that for every N1million we disburse, we should create a minimum of five jobs around that business value chain.

“These loans have been provided at a very affordable rate of 5% per annum, far cheaper than the prevailing bank interest of 25% per annum. This is our modest way of reflating the Lagos economy, creating jobs and getting our youths gainfully occupied. Those of you here today, the first beneficiaries of this initiative, will be the agents through which our country can overcome its current economic challenges,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor also enjoined market women and female artisans to take advantage of the opportunity as his administration was particularly interested in supporting women in business.

“I also implore the Employment Trust Fund to pay special attention to the Entertainment Industry and the Tech Hubs in Sabo, Yaba area. These are new areas with huge potential for growth and job creation,” he said.

Governor Ambode also expressed optimism that the target by the Board to empower at least 100,000 micro, small and medium enterprises in due course was achievable and that the multiplier effect would be the creation of over 300,000 direct and 600,000 indirect jobs by 2019.

In her opening remarks, Chairman, Board of ETF, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru said the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries was in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Ambode during the electioneering and a confirmation of many to come.

She recalled that while canvassing for votes, the need to provide jobs was clearly on the mind of the Governor, and according to her, he wasted no time in setting up the ETF Board made up of people with proven track record, as well as transferring N6.25billion for the initiative to kick off, while the Board ensured that the process was fair and transparent with no favour as to party, religion, tribe or faith, and covered all the 57 Councils in the State.

“While we were trying to come up with the necessary procedures, Governor Ambode kept telling us to hurry up to start disbursing the loans to residents which signified his good intention and he has also given us the mandate to make the disbursement a monthly affair to make the fund get to as many residents as possible,” Omoigui-Okauru said.

Responding on behalf of others, one of the beneficiaries, Ahmed Ojikutu thanked Governor Ambode for the initiative, saying that it was gratifying to note that the process was very transparent.

He said: “This is indeed a promise kept by the Governor. When next the Governor tells us anything, we will believe him and I want to sincerely thank him on behalf of all the beneficiaries.”