Ooni Host Kazakhstan Delegation, Applauds Tinubu’s Economic Reforms at Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Summit
By Raymond Enoch
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, hosted a significant 30-man delegation from Kazakhstan at the inaugural Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council International Conference, held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja,.
The delegation, which included prominent business leaders and government officials, was led by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alibek Kuantyrov.
In his address, Ooni Ogunwusi commended President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, which he believes are slowly but surely transforming Nigeria’s economy. “While we recognize the challenges our nation faces, it is evident that the fruits of President Tinubu’s policies are now showing,” the Ooni stated, highlighting the closing of the long-standing gap between the parallel and official exchange rates for the first time in two decades.
The Ooni who is a frontline standing monarch in Nigeria praised the government for making the country a more attractive one to investors and repositioning its capital markets to facilitate foreign investment. “For the first time in years, our country is now investor-friendly, and this summit is a testimony to the growing business relations between Nigeria and Kazakhstan,” he added.
As Co-chairman of the Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council, the Ooni also reflected on the bilateral ties strengthened by last year’s meeting between President Tinubu and Kazakhstan’s President. “This summit marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to bridge our economies,” he said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, also lauded the Ooni’s leadership of Nigeria’s traditional institutions, noting that food prices in the country had dropped by 40%. Kyari linked the price reduction to increased agricultural supply and efforts made by President Tinubu’s government to boost food production. He called on food processors to ensure these benefits reach the average Nigerian consumer.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Alibek Kuantyrov, expressed his admiration for the Ooni’s leadership and pointed out that Kazakhstan’s population of just 20 million people has successfully embraced a digital cashless economy. He encouraged the Nigerian government to establish an embassy in Kazakhstan to foster easier trade relations between the two nations.
“We aim to enhance food security across Central Asia and beyond, and we are keen on expanding our diplomatic and economic relations with Nigeria,” said Kuantyrov, stressing the importance of the bilateral partnership.
The summit highlighted the growing collaboration between the two nations in trade, investment, and agriculture, with both sides optimistic about expanding opportunities in the coming years. This event comes after a recent business delegation from Nigeria visited Kazakhstan, engaging with stakeholders in both countries to explore potential investment opportunities.
As the summit concluded, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to building stronger economic ties and facilitating cross-border investment, with the Ooni of Ife playing a pivotal role in strengthening the Nigeria-Kazakhstan relationship.
