PANA Holdings’ Chairman, Daere Akobo, Hails Ooni, Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council On Investments

The Chairman of PANA Holdings, Dr. Daere Akobo, has commended the initiative put together by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Nigeria-Kazakhstan Council to improve trade, investments, and economic collaboration between Nigeria and Kazakhstan.

Akobo, who spoke on behalf of the organised private sector, gave commendation during the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council held in Abuja on February 23, 2025.

He described the initiative as one that would move Nigeria from an inherited opportunity to a created one, adding that this is akin to what Dubai did to transform the region.

Speaking at the meeting, His imperial majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for implementing bold economic policies that have enhanced Nigeria’s investment climate.

In his remarks, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Olayemi Cardoso who was represented by his Special Adviser, Tony Ogufere, noted that the reforms undertaken by the apex regulator, CBN, were already bearing fruit.

He noted that for the first time in 20 years, the gap between the parallel and official exchange rates was closed.

According to him, the positive signal from the reform is that Nigeria is becoming more attractive to investors.

Also speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyar, who spoke extensively on some of the actions taken by the sector, explained that President Tinubu has prioritised strategic interventions to enhance mechanisation by providing over N200 billion in an intervention fund.

The Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council meeting reinforced the importance of global partnerships in driving economic growth and agricultural development.