Global investor and chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Adebayo Ogunlesi, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms, expressing renewed confidence in Nigeria’s investment climate and hinting at potential multi-sectoral investments.

 Ogunlesi, who met with President Tinubu in Abuja alongside other business leaders, said the discussions centred on ways to reposition Nigeria as a prime destination for international investment. “We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.

He praised the administration’s sweeping policy measures — including the removal of fuel subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of refineries now exporting aviation fuel — describing them as key steps toward long-term economic recovery.

 Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities. “Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased. Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables, noting that Nigeria’s vast gas reserves remain largely untapped.

Drawing from his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he said the country holds enormous potential for investors willing to take the long view.

On aviation, Ogunlesi acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and hinted at interest in similar opportunities locally. He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria — a point President Tinubu reportedly raised during their meeting. “He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.

Also present at the meeting, international investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s economic transformation. “When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”

Echoing that optimism, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, described the ongoing reforms as laying the foundation for an export-driven economy. “We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.

With international investors showing renewed interest and government officials projecting stability, Nigeria appears to be gaining momentum toward a new phase of transformative, export-led growth across key industries.