The Chairman of United Bank for Africa, UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has advised President Bola Tinubu to prioritise security to address the current food scarcity and attract investment into the country.

Elumelu gave this advice at the Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, on Tuesday in Abuja.

“To protect our people, feed them, attract investment, and foster trade, we must prioritise security.

“Insecurity has become a national crisis, which must be dealt with decisively and urgently. Our people deserve to go to their farms unhindered, live peacefully and conduct their lives and businesses without fear; it is the fundamental right of every citizen,” he said.

Elumelu described the banking sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, adding that its transformation over the last few decades was one of the nation’s success stories.

He said the sector employs millions, provides crucial financial support to countless businesses, and generates income for millions of shareholders.

In his message to the conference, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged the business and banking sectors to focus on capacity building, talent development, and youth empowerment to drive the nation’s economic growth. He emphasized that his administration is committed to economic development and highlighted the federal government’s initiative to train three million Nigerian youths in digital technology and essential skills, with plans to place them in innovation firms nationwide.

We are committed to achieving a 70 per cent digital literacy level by 2027 through collaboration and innovation.

“We must focus on capacity building, talent development, and youth empowerment. These are the hands of our youth, and we must equip them with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to drive our nation forward,” he stated.