By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has reaffirmed its determination to maintain a business-friendly environment for both domestic and foreign investors, as the Federal Government hosted a high-level California–Africa Climate and Economic Delegation in Abuja on Wednesday, 14 August, 2025.
During the engagement, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to implement targeted regulatory and legislative reforms to attract investment into strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy. She stressed that the country “remains open and ready for global partnerships” and is working to sustain investor confidence while laying the foundations for long-term economic growth.
In an official statement issued by Gabriel Odu of the Media Unit of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr. Oduwole emphasised that current reform efforts are designed to remove bottlenecks and to boost private-sector participation in areas critical to national development.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed the California delegation and highlighted the increasingly important role of the Nigerian diaspora in fostering development at home. According to her, diaspora investors are not only bringing capital but also deploying expertise and international influence in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
The delegation was led by Dr. Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency, who commended NiDCOM for convening the engagement. He noted that California remains a global leader in clean and sustainable transportation, accounting for approximately 14 per cent of the entire United States electric vehicle market.
Discussions focused on climate-aligned investment opportunities in sustainable transportation, clean energy collaboration, technical cooperation and infrastructure development. California’s strengths in technology and venture capital were identified as key drivers for positioning African green enterprises as globally competitive.
The engagement ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening climate-friendly partnerships, leveraging the intellectual capital of the Nigerian diaspora, and expanding sustainable investment flows into Nigeria.
