President Bola Tinubu has affirmed his administration’s willingness to adopt successful models from other countries, emphasizing that Nigeria is not ashamed to learn from global best practices.
The President made this known during a meeting with an Airtel delegation led by Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday. He assured that the regulatory framework governing the telecommunications sector would be reviewed to enhance operations and safeguard infrastructure.
“I am grateful for your openness, readiness, and confidence, which moved us very close to the Prime Minister of India. When he was here, we discussed things at length,” Tinubu stated in a release issued by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
“The entire ecosystem will be further examined, and if there is anything we can copy from India, we are ready to do so. We are prepared to learn. We are not ashamed of copying what is working in other climes.
“It is for the good of all of us, and Nigeria is so critically important that we must give attention to those revolutionary intentions that can make business work. I am pro-business, and I will continue to be that. I can give you that assurance,” he added.
Tinubu also highlighted his administration’s commitment to tax reforms that would create a more business-friendly environment.
“We will find a way to work with tax administrators to ensure that whatever we have to do, we will encourage growth and opportunities. We are ready to do that,” he said.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, expressed appreciation for the President’s continuous support for the telecom sector. He noted that Tinubu’s approval of fibre optic and undersea cables as critical national assets would stimulate industry growth. He further assured that the National Security Adviser’s office had begun enforcing this directive.
Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal lauded Tinubu for implementing bold economic reforms, likening Nigeria’s current situation to India’s in 1991.
“When you took office, you made some promises. Given the country’s situation, I was unsure how deep and far you could take your commitments,” Mittal said.
“I am indeed reminded of 1991, when India was in a similar situation, and we were practically on our knees, having pledged 500,000 tons of gold to the Bank of England, and our vessel in Tokyo had been put up for sale.
“During that time, the Prime Minister and his team took similar reforms to what you are taking now in Nigeria, and India has never seen better times after that.”
Mittal noted that India’s economy flourished following key reforms such as currency floatation and tax restructuring. He praised Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy and allow the naira to find its true market value.
“It has been a remarkable achievement celebrated by the entire world. This was much required, and you delivered on your promises,” he said.
He urged more Nigerians with significant financial assets abroad to reinvest in the country, noting that investor confidence was gradually returning.
“I have been speaking to people in Nigeria, friends and business people, and they are all now feeling calm. When they start to get back, they will move very fast. I have experienced this in India,” Mittal stated.
