JUST IN: I can beat my chest that Nigeria is attracting close to $20bn in foreign direct investments—Tinubu

According to a report by Daily Post, on Friday, May 15, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has openly acknowledged the significant political influence held by Nigeria’s younger generation, suggesting that his administration faces the risk of being removed from power through the ballot box if it neglects to resolve the nation’s pressing financial difficulties.

Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum on Thursday, the president emphasised that the demographic landscape of Nigeria is characterised by an energetic and spirited youth population that possesses little patience for governmental stagnation or justifications for failure.

He characterised these citizens as a restless force, one that demands tangible results rather than rhetorical explanations regarding the state of the country.

During the forum, President Tinubu addressed a variety of enquiries centred on the national economy and the broader investment climate.

He reflected on his previous executive experience, drawing parallels between his current national objectives and the fiscal reforms he implemented during his time as the governor of Lagos State.

He specifically highlighted his successful efforts in restructuring local tax administration, which served as a foundation for the state’s economic rise.

With a sense of accomplishment, he noted that Lagos currently stands as the fifth-largest economy on the African continent, asserting that he remains deeply proud of the institutional legacy he established there and continues to take an active interest in its ongoing progress.

The president argued that the key to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential lies in the aggressive removal of administrative hurdles and bureaucratic red tape.

By streamlining these processes, he believes the government can cultivate a more hospitable environment and provide the necessary motivation for international financiers to commit their capital to Nigerian markets.

It was within this context of economic optimism that he made a bold claim regarding the current fiscal year’s progress.

“This year alone, I can beat my chest that Nigeria is attracting close to $20 billion in foreign direct investments,” he said.

Furthermore, President Tinubu offered a philosophical perspective on the nature of global capital, suggesting that investment is inherently cautious and will avoid environments lacking in transparency, integrity, and accountability.

He urged African nations to engage in deeper self-reflection and resource pooling, suggesting that a unified continental front would allow Africa to bargain more effectively on the global stage.

He also referenced his recent intellectual contributions to the discourse on global finance, mentioning a specific piece he authored for the Financial Times which critiqued the methodologies and impact of international credit rating agencies on developing economies.

Throughout his address, the president maintained that for Nigeria and Africa to thrive, leadership must remain courageous, honest, and unwaveringly focused on delivering measurable prosperity to a population that is no longer willing to wait.