Are Nigerians aware of how much leverage we have over the United Arab Emirates? President Tinubu needs to exploit this by making it clear that they must invest in our economy or we will go elsewhere

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Over the last 30 years of so, rich Nigerians have been flocking to Dubai in huge numbers to throw lavish parties. Even our leaders hold the weddings of their children there, while many Nigerian businesses, old school associations, community groups, etc, who could easily hold retreats in Nigeria, chose to go to Dubai for jamborees. I think we must immediately levy a 30% Dubai Tax on such jamborees to raise funds for developing the Nigerian tourist industry

[2] We then need to ask Emirates Airlines to take our a 25% stake in Nigeria’s planned nee national carrier

[3] Today, less than 5% of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) revenue comes from oil. We need to sign a pact with them guaranteeing that both governments will work towards Nigeria achieving similar status by 2040

[4] Dubai has been called the shopping capital of the Middle East as it has more than 70 shopping centres, including the world's largest shopping centre, the Dubai Mall. Under an agreement that will include UAE investment, Nigeria will look to match this by 2030

[5] Over the last 15 years, Dubai has invested massively in infrastructure like rail metros, roads, security, hotels, beaches, holiday resorts, conference centres, etc. Nigeria will seek to match this investment on a like-for-like basis. UAE authorities will pledge at least $10bn annually in investment

[6] Dubai attracts about 20m tourists a year. Nigeria will to match that under a joint visitors programme the two countries will sign that will offer tourists a visit to both nations for the price of one

[7] Australia has sought to develop Tasmania as a tourist paradise, away from the mainland. Dubai investors will help Nigeris develop a similar island in the Niger Delta. Maybe Opobo

[8] Under the terms of this cooperative agreement, the UAE is committed to investing at least $50bn a year in total in Nigerian infrastructure and the hospitality industry

[9] Dubai’s Tourist Board will take out minority stakes in Tinapa, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, the Uyo Ibom Le Meridien Golf Resort, the Apex Holiday resort in Abuja and the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Lekki, Lagos

[10] UAE tourist operators will be given 90 year land leases to open holiday sites in Nigeria

ayoakinfe@gmail.com