President Bola Tinubu has made a bold declaration, stating that his administration is not ashamed to learn from and implement successful global strategies to transform Nigeria’s telecom sector. Speaking yesterday in Abuja during a meeting with an Airtel delegation led by Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria must embrace revolutionary ideas that drive business success.
“We are prepared to learn. We are not ashamed of copying what is working in other climes,” the President affirmed, highlighting his pro-business stance. He acknowledged Airtel’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy and pledged to review regulatory frameworks to align with global best practices while prioritizing infrastructure protection.
Tinubu also assured that his government’s tax reforms would create a more favorable environment for investors, stressing that collaboration with tax administrators would ensure growth and expansion in key sectors.
Airtel’s Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, showered praise on Tinubu, comparing his bold economic reforms to India’s historic turnaround in 1991. Mittal recalled how India, once on the brink of economic collapse, took similar drastic measures—including floating its currency and slashing trade barriers—which ultimately catapulted it into one of the world’s largest economies.
“I feel that what you have done here is unprecedented in a challenging time. Only people of resolve and steel can endure this huge pressure,” Mittal remarked, referencing Nigeria’s foreign exchange reforms that saw the naira fluctuate before stabilizing. He lauded the decision to remove petrol subsidies, calling it a difficult yet necessary move that would define Tinubu’s legacy.
Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, also commended the President for recognizing the telecom sector as a critical pillar of national development. He noted that Tinubu’s approval of fibre optic and undersea cables as critical national assets would further stimulate the industry, with the Office of the National Security Adviser already enforcing new protective measures.
Mittal concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s economic future under Tinubu’s leadership. “Your first term as President will mark a watershed in your country’s development. This is a turning point, and I commend you for holding a firm position to take Nigeria forward.”
