President Bola Tinubu has expressed his administration’s commitment to learning from global best practices, particularly in the telecom sector, highlighting that his government is open to adopting successful models from other countries. This statement came during a meeting with an Airtel delegation, led by Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
During the meeting, President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria’s regulatory framework for the telecom sector would undergo a review to align with international standards. He stated that one of the key areas for improvement would be strengthening the protection of telecom infrastructure.
“I am grateful for your openness, readiness, and confidence, which have brought us closer to India’s Prime Minister. We discussed various aspects at length during his visit,” Tinubu said, according to a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
He further added, “The entire ecosystem will be examined, and if there is anything we can learn from India, we are ready to do so. We are prepared to copy what works in other nations. It’s for the good of everyone, and Nigeria’s importance demands we focus on those revolutionary strategies that can propel business success. I am pro-business, and I will continue to be.”
In the discussion, the President also touched on ongoing tax reforms, noting that these changes are designed to create a more favorable investment climate. “We will work with tax administrators to ensure that we encourage growth and create opportunities,” he assured.
The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, thanked President Tinubu for his continuous support of the telecom sector, specifically highlighting his approval for the protection of critical infrastructure, such as fiber optic and undersea cables. Tijani noted that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) is now actively enforcing this protection law, which is expected to further boost industry growth.
Airtel’s Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, drawing comparisons with India’s experience in the early 1990s. Mittal recalled how India, facing similar economic challenges, implemented reforms that transformed the country’s economy. “When you took office, you made bold promises, and I was unsure of how far you could go. But what you’ve done here has been unprecedented,” Mittal remarked. He referenced India’s successful economic turnaround after reforms such as reducing duties, floating the rupee, and relicensing, which propelled the country to become one of the largest economies in the world.
Mittal also lauded President Tinubu for his decisive actions, including the difficult but necessary removal of the petrol subsidy, a move that, though unpopular, he believed would benefit Nigeria in the long term. “You held your position firmly, knowing that not doing it would harm the country,” Mittal said.
He also encouraged more Nigerians, particularly those with substantial investments abroad, to bring their capital back to the country, noting that the current economic climate is creating confidence among local and international businesspeople. “Many people I speak to in Nigeria are now feeling more optimistic, and I believe they will return quickly, just like what happened in India,” Mittal concluded.
