Trip Report / Abuja, Nigeria

Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment

Ms Nwachukwu showed particular interest for: a) ICPEs’ experiences in public private partnerships and b) strengthening bilateral relations with Slovenia and emerging economies. Mr Sebastian U.Nnadi is the key person for cooperation with Central Europe.

Ms Nwacukwu promised to forward to Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga information about ICPE’s visit, suggestion for cooperation and concluded by saying that this meeting will bring new issues in bilateral cooperation and put attention for cooperation in Central Europe to Slovenia.

Mr Janez Podobnik ICPE Acting Director General and Ambassador Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The ICPE delegation was welcomed by friendly “Dobrodošli” greeting. Permanent secretary, who is one of four key officials of the ministry, served a part of his rich carrier also in Belgrade and is familiar to Slavic languages. He was also was the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and Ambassador to Switzerland.

Initially Mr. J.Podobnik presented ICPE and informed Dr. Uhomoibhi about his meeting with Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr K.Erjavec who mentioned that Slovenia is considering opening the second embassy in Africa and that Nigeria is seriously considered as possible place for the new embassy emphasising the importance of Nigeria and ECOWAS. Dr. Uhomoibhi expressed his utmost satisfaction with this news and continued with presentation of the current state of his country following the motto “Nigeria is moving forward”. Beside huge oil and gas reserves he emphasized young population, abundance of arable land and solid minerals. It’s his estimation that Nigeria currently uses only 15% of their potentials.  From their own experience they know the importance of peace and would like to be promoter of peace and stability in the region. He mentioned the leading role of Nigeria in ECOWAS as another argument for Slovenia when deciding about the seat of the new embassy.

Mr T.Rogelj presented a proposal to the government of Nigeria for co-operation on »System of Civil Registration”. This joint initiative of ICPE and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) with the support of the Republic of Slovenia offers overall package of development of the system of registration, from assessments, recommendations, analysis, to development of capacities with legislation and trainings. It can be a two stage process with a pilot case in Ogun State and consequent federal and international implementation.

Dr. Uhomoibhi is a great supporter of strengthening cooperation both with ICPE and Slovenia.

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) is a federal government agency which   promotes and coordinates investments in Nigeria.

CEO and Executive Secretary Mr. Bello started this high level meeting with statement that foreign investors might be reluctant to come to Nigeria but are also reluctant to go once they recognize all the good sides of his country. He gave a brief background on Nigerian economy since year 1999 marked by high average GDP growth. They encourage foreign direct investments to support development of the local economy to be more independent from fossil fuels.

With relation to co-operation with ICPE and also Slovenia he stressed their readiness to initiate and organize promotional activities for corporates from ICPEs’ member countries and Slovenia. They will liaison between investors and ministries, government departments and agencies, institutional lenders and other authorities concerned with investments and assist investors by providing support services.

At the conclusion of the meeting we enjoyed in the presentation of “One-Stop-Shop” which is an investment facilitation mechanism which brings relevant government agencies to one location, coordinated to provide efficient services to investors. It shortens and simplifies administrative procedures for the issuance of business approvals, permits and licenses and company incorporation.

General

At all meetings ICPE was represented by J.Podobnik, Acting Director General and T.Rogelj, Executive Manager. We informed all our counterparts about the international conference “Ogun State - Nigeria Goes Green”, which took place in Abeokuta on 23 and 24 April, 2013.

Mr. Boris Cizelj, President of Knowledge Economy Network also took part at all three meetings.

Special thanks for good advice and organizing all meetings in Abuja goes to Mr. Muhammadu Sani Yunusa, Deputy Head of Mission at Nigerian Embassy in Budapest.