President Muhammadu Buhari has attributed growing social unrest to inequalities and unfair policies that exclude the majority from opportunities for participation.
Buhari said at the 5th Edition of Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the theme “Investing in Humanity.”
He urged world leaders and global investors to prioritize inclusive and humane policies.
Buhari said his administration will keep encouraging public and private initiatives that increase investments in health, education, capacity building, youth empowerment, gender equality, poverty eradication, climate change and food security.
“By so doing, it will go a long way in reenergizing the global economy in a post COVID-19 era,” he said.
“Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation. Our economic reforms which focus on “humane” investments are ideal for investors looking to have profitable returns while positively impacting the citizenry.
“Investing in Humanity is the right thing to do. I strongly believe the historical under investments in “humane projects” is the genesis of most of the insecurity and socio-economic challenges the world is experiencing today.”
Buhari said the Nigerian perspective remains a focus on people oriented development policies, with diversification from oil to more inclusive sectors such as agriculture, ICT and mining; tackling
corruption, insecurity and climate change and introducing Social Investment Programmes.
“Investing in humanity is investing in our collective survival. This is why we in Nigeria believe that public and private partnership should focus on increasing investments in health, education, capacity building, youth empowerment, gender equality, poverty eradication, climate change and food security. By so doing, it will go a long way in reenergizing the global economy in a post COVID-19 era.
“Nigeria’s population today exceeds 200 million people. Some 70 percent are under 35 years old. When we came into government in 2015, we were quick to realise that the long-term peace and stability of our country is dependent on having inclusive and humane policies.
“In the past six years, our government took very painful but necessary decisions to invest for a long-term prosperous future knowing very well that this will come with short-term pains,” he added.
Buhari said a humane approach to investment is the only way to address the global challenges we face, especially in the Covid-19 era.
