President: For Energy Transition to Succeed, Our Vulnerable People Must Be Supported

•Hosts  standard chartered bank executives 

•Moody’s new rating gives Nigeria positive outlook, excited Edun boasts

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, declared that Nigeria remained committed to a balanced approach to energy transition that supports the vulnerable of the society.

The president, who said that was the only key to the success of the idea, however, insisted that the idea still requiredsubstantial investments in the oil and gas sector to meet the energy demands and economic needs of its population.

This was as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, has disclosed that Moody’s newly completed rating review, maintained Nigeria’s positive outlook, which he described as “very encouraging”.

Edun said Moody’s positive outlook rating followed the recent announcement of the World Bank’s $2.25 billion financing package for Nigeria, reflecting the positive trajectory of the current administration’s economic reforms.

Speaking at a meeting, yesterday, with the Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Bill Winters, at the State House, Abuja, the president called for a just energy transition that supports vulnerable communities across the nation.

He also highlighted the importance of balancing the mutually beneficial shift to green industrial growth and energy with the immediate energy needs of Nigerians.

According to a statement by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu said, ”We value your cooperation, friendship, and partnership. Substantially, we have oil and gas as our primary source of revenue today.

“As friends, we do not expect you to run away from investments in this sector. We face the future prospect while prudently maximising the present.

”Green industry and energy, yes. We will surely catch up with that. To run a marathon, you need energy today. Nigeria holds the largest reserves of gas in Africa.

“We know we can make best use of great opportunities that exist in the sector. We do not want you to back away from fossil fuels.

”I have seen retractions and retreat positions by some players in the industry. But for any energy transition to succeed, people must live and live well.

”We must be able to meet our obligations to the vulnerable communities. We are committed to being prudent with our natural resources to bring prosperity to our deserving people.

”As we hold the largest reserves in gas on the continent, we do not want to go backward, we want to move forward, and we welcome deepened partnership with your institution.”

Tinubu, also spoke about some of the strategic projects across different sectors embarked upon by his administration to stimulate economic growth.

He reiterated his commitment to sustaining ongoing economic reforms and measures to stabilise the economy.  

Earlier, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, described Standard Chartered Bank as a valued partner to Nigeria, providing finance for infrastructure, advice on ratings, and the prudent management of Nigeria’s Eurobond.

He disclosed that the bank has indicated interest to finance key infrastructure projects in Nigeria, including the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line rehabilitation, as well as the provision of $3 billion in innovative financing for the NLNG dividend initiative.

”They are also one of our lead managers for Eurobond issuance, and they advise us on our ratings. I am pleased to note that Moody’s has just completed our rating review and maintained Nigeria’s rating as a positive outlook, which is very encouraging,” the Minister said.

Edun also said Moody’s positive outlook rating followed the recent announcement of the World Bank’s $2.25 billion financing package for Nigeria, reflecting the positive trajectory of the current administration’s economic reforms.

In his remarks, Winters lauded Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, noting the international investment community’s recognition and support.

”We see ourselves as ambassadors to Nigeria in the international investment community, and we take our advisory role very seriously.

“We will continue to offer objective advice to the country because we have commitments in the country backed by our strong belief in what this administration is doing,” he said.