TheCable

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says there are “salivating” opportunities in the country for investors to explore.

Osinbajo said this on Thursday when he met Boris Johnson, British foreign secretary, who led a delegation of UK ministers to Aso Rock.

He said the federal government is ready to provide the necessary assistance to private investors seeking to invest in the country.

The vice-president also said the Buhari administration has shown enthusiasm to help private sector succeed.

“Investors would salivate if those potentials were realised. [The country] is close to the tipping point in terms of making that happen,” Osinbajo said.

“UK is our natural partner and it is much easier for business because of the relationship over time and because of the robust presence of the UK here in Nigeria through the DFID which has been tremendously supportive.”

He also said the country had no choice but to diversify away from oil and focus on agriculture.

Osinbajo added that Nigeria would be looking to partner with the UK in the area of housing, as the government is interested in construction companies with the expertise in delivering mass housing projects across the country.

On his part, Johnson said the UK is working to build an economic partnership with Nigeria.

He said his country is partnering with Nigeria in different areas such as intelligence sharing in the fight against terrorism.

“We attach immense importance to this relationship and so we discuss today on some contributions UK  can make on the military fronts, humanitarian side, development aid side, building the trade and commercial relationship between UK and Nigeria,” Johnson said.

“This is an incredible place it’s the power house of the African economy, we are here with Nigeria every step of  the way.”

Also speaking at the meeting, Geoffrey Onyeamah, minister of foreign affairs, said the visit of the delegation “keys right” into the three priority areas of the fighting corruption, job creation and improving the economy.

“As you know the three priority areas of this government are security, governance and fighting corruption, job creation, economy,” he said.