Senior officials of the Nigerian government met with UK-based Nigerian media executives and community leaders in London ahead of the expected state visit of to the United Kingdom, outlining ongoing reforms and defending the administration’s economic direction.

Honourable Minister Mohammed Idris

Leading the engagement was , Minister of Information and National Orientation, who said the administration remains committed to ensuring that democracy delivers “real and tangible benefits to the Nigerian people.”

Speaking to invited media leaders, Idris explained that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is implementing reforms designed to stabilise the economy, expand opportunity, strengthen social protection and invest in long-term national development.

He highlighted two major policy decisions taken at the beginning of the administration: the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of Nigeria’s foreign exchange system. According to him, both reforms were necessary to correct long-standing structural distortions that had weakened public finances and discouraged both domestic and foreign investment.

“The subsidy regime had become a monster eating deeply into the fabric of the economy,” he said, adding that exchange rate reforms have now improved transparency and access to foreign currency for businesses.

The minister also stated that presidential executive orders introduced since 2024 have helped position Nigeria as Africa’s leading oil and gas investment destination for two consecutive years, attracting more than $8 billion in final investment decisions from major international companies including and .

He noted that increased federal revenue is now enabling all 36 states and the FCT to meet salary obligations and undertake development projects, contrasting this with previous years when many states struggled to pay workers.

Idris also announced that Nigeria will soon launch a national customs single-window platform aimed at improving trade efficiency through digital coordination among importers, exporters and government agencies. He rounded that Nigeria is a multi-religious country and supports all diverse beliefs.

Minister Dele Alake

Also speaking at the meeting, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, described Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as an underdeveloped national asset capable of surpassing oil in long-term economic value.

Alake said the government has introduced a seven-point agenda focused on investment promotion, security, transparency, policy reform and digitisation. He disclosed that a specialised mining security unit has arrested over 350 illegal mining operators, with more than 150 prosecutions currently ongoing and several convictions already secured.

He said the administration has also revoked dormant mining licences held for speculation rather than production, stressing that “there is a new sheriff in town.”

Presidential spokesperson Chief Bayo Onanuga addressed concerns over whether ordinary Nigerians are feeling the benefits of the reforms. He said the President has consistently urged governors and local councils to use increased allocations responsibly and deliver practical relief to citizens.

Dr. Dele Alake and Chief Bayo Onanuga

According to Onanuga, falling food prices and declining inflation indicate that economic pressures are beginning to ease.

Mr. Sunday Dare also reaffirmed that ministers are under clear instruction to ensure government policies translate into measurable public benefit.

SSA Ogra in white suit

Senior presidential aide Ortega Ogra added that innovation, private-sector thinking and modern communication remain central to delivering the President’s mandate.

Temitope Ajayi of the Presidency

The London engagement also included presidential aides Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Atoyebi of NRS (Nigeria Revenue Service) and Linda Akhigbe, reflecting the administration’s continued outreach to diaspora media ahead of high-level international engagements.

Arabinrin Atoyebi of (NRS – Nigeria Revenue Service) explains the policies on ports in Nigeria

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