By Joan Nwagwu
Abuja – The Federal Government on Thursday appealed to the Japanese government to take advantage of the improved climate to invest in Nigeria.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment made the call when the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke, visited him in Abuja.
Ngige said that the visit was imperative to further strengthen the existing bilateral relationship between the two countries as Japanese companies had left Nigeria for Ghana and other African countries.
“I want to assure you that the factors that drove you out have tremendously eased and investment climate in Nigeria has improved with some measures already taken by this administration.
“This administration has shore up power supply, effectively tackle corruption and improve the safety of lives and property, which are some of the factors that drove these factories.
“Also the era where foreign investors lose their investments to fraudsters is over as government has ensured adequate protection for their investments and profits.
“So, we want you to invite Japanese companies, who were here, not only come back but also invite others to invest in fertile opportunities offered in our agriculture, mining and manufacturing sectors,” Ngige said.
He said that Nigeria has a lot of potential such as the huge rubber belt, saying that Michelin was here but relocated to a neighbouring country.
The minister said that the opportunities for brighter business prospects were still better in the country.
He, therefore, added that the companies would surely do better here under the present environment that created by the present administration.
Ngige said that it also an opportunity for Nigeria to learn from the resilience of the Japanese to overcome the present economic challenges into the improved investment climate in Nigeria.
“Nigeria under the present administration has looked inwards to regain lost opportunities, hence emphasize on agriculture and mining.
“I want to urge you to encourage your government to invest and also train extension workers in these areas.
“We will also like you to increase the number of Nigerians billed for participation in the yearly training programme from 50 to 1,000, so as to have a meaningful impact on a large population like Nigeria,‘’ he said.
The minister, who regretted the trade imbalance between the two countries, pleaded with Japanese government to close the gap by enabling skilled Nigerians live and work in their country.
He said this was by using the International Labour Migration policy of the International Labour Organisation.
Earlier, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke pledged Japan’s more active role in Nigeria’s economic diversification programme through the expansion of its businesses into agriculture and mining.
Kusaoke commended the anti-terrorism and anti-corruption efforts of the present administration as well as its determination to protect foreign investors.
“We are very hopeful that government policy is going to do well in three important areas of anti-terrorism, anti-corruption and economic diversification.
“But I believe economic diversification is in the areas where the Japanese are most useful.
“We have a lot of contribution to make to the diversification of the economy,’’ he said.
He further extended invitation to fifty Nigerians to a yearly training programme in various skills in Japan taking off August 2017.
He added that, the programme is intended for African youths to study at Japanese Universities or colleges, with internship in Japanese companies.
“We have already sent invitation for fifty Nigerian men and women.
The programme will ease international job migration,” he said.