President Buhari Calls For Collaboration To Address Economic Problems In West Africa

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on executives of banking institutions in West Africa to forge a closer collaboration to tackle economic challenges confronting the sub-region.

Receiving a delegation from the West African Bankers Association (WABA) led by its President, Thierno Seydou Nourou Sy, the President noted that the sub-region must find a common understanding and ground to address low access to financial services and recovery from post COVID-19 pandemic.

Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed the President's call in a statement he signed on Tuesday 

The President said over time, global trade has become more complex and organised.

''More importantly, we will turn the page in ensuring that we deepen and expand our industrial capabilities by making sure we export less of what we have been endowed with in primary or raw form, and convert larger portions of these resources into finished materials.

''That will allow us to benefit from the revenue earned from the added value of exporting a finished product,'' he said.

Speaking further, the Nigerian leader declared: ''Our ability to overcome the current phase of our development lies  in our resolve to work jointly via our regional and  sub-regional organizations where we can all reach a common understanding to fight against a common enemy.

''This is one of the reasons I am delighted with the strides ECOWAS has been making towards unanimity and forging alliances with a goal to resolve issues that confront the sub-region."

He pledged that Nigeria will always be ready to support efforts that are geared towards improving the lives of all its citizens ''as long as they do not place us at a disadvantage.''