**SGF says 57 Japanese firms already operate in Nigeria, seeks deeper cooperation in mining, renewable energy, security and technology

The Federal Government on Monday intensified efforts to attract more Japanese investment into Nigeria, with Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, declaring that the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration have created a more competitive and investor-friendly business environment.

Speaking while receiving Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, in Abuja, Akume said the government’s ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda were designed to improve the ease of doing business, strengthen macroeconomic stability, attract foreign direct investment and promote private sector-led growth.

The SGF disclosed that 57 Japanese companies currently operate in Nigeria but expressed optimism that the number would grow significantly as investor confidence improves.

“We encourage greater participation of Japanese investors in Nigeria. With the ongoing reforms and improved investment environment, Nigeria offers enormous opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. We look forward to seeing many more Japanese companies establishing operations in our country,” he said.

Akume commended Japan for its longstanding support to Nigeria through technical cooperation, infrastructure development, healthcare, agriculture, education, disaster management and humanitarian assistance.

He also praised the contributions of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in financing and executing critical infrastructure projects across the country, describing the partnership as pivotal to Nigeria’s development objectives.

Seeking broader areas of collaboration, the SGF urged Japanese investors to explore opportunities in renewable energy, clean technology, energy efficiency, climate resilience and environmental sustainability, saying Japan’s technological expertise would support Nigeria’s energy transition.

He also appealed for expanded scholarship programmes, technical training and knowledge transfer initiatives to strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s youthful population.

On security, Akume expressed appreciation for Japan’s support to peace-building and humanitarian efforts, particularly in the North-East, while calling for deeper cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, border management, counter-terrorism and disaster risk reduction.

The SGF further identified the solid minerals sector as a key destination for Japanese investment, assuring investors that reforms have established a transparent and predictable legal framework for long-term investments in strategic minerals.

“We want Japanese businesses to take advantage of the vast opportunities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. The legal framework has been strengthened, the investment environment is improving, and we are committed to supporting genuine investors within the ambit of our laws,” he added.

In his remarks, Ambassador Hideo praised the Tinubu administration’s economic and fiscal reforms, saying they were already producing measurable gains.

He cited the growth in Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, improved exchange rate stability and a healthier macroeconomic environment as factors boosting investor confidence.

The envoy also pointed to recent upgrades in Nigeria’s sovereign credit ratings by international agencies as evidence of growing global confidence in the country’s economic direction.

According to him, the positive developments have been consistently communicated to the Japanese government as indicators of Nigeria’s improving investment climate.

Hideo disclosed that the recent visit of Takayuki Kobayashi, Chairman of the Policy Research Council of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), had further strengthened interest in Nigeria among Japanese policymakers and the private sector.

He said Kobayashi subsequently briefed Japan’s Prime Minister and senior government officials on the need to deepen trade and investment ties with Nigeria.

The ambassador stressed that Japan’s engagement with Nigeria was anchored on a long-term strategic partnership rather than short-term global energy or resource concerns.

He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to expanding bilateral trade, investment and development cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The meeting was attended by five permanent secretaries in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Japanese Embassy.