I think President Tinubu should strike a deal with the United Arab Emirates offering them Nigerian troops to safeguard their shipping through the Straits of Hormuz in exchange for foreign direct investment

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Over the last 20 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

[2] Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Now, it is a wealthy country but alas, it only has a population of 11m. I have always had problems with such under-populated countries as for starters, they simply lack the numbers to have effective armed forces

[3] At the moment, the UAE had a big problem as it is particularly vulnerable with the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz. This country needs a country like Nigeria to provide the physical manpower to enable her stand up to the rebel group Houthis

[4] How about we start off with a deal under which Emirates Airlines will take our a 25% stake in Nigeria’s planned national carrier

[5] Then, 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. They must pledge to invest in at least 10 similar projects in Nigeria by 2030

[6] Over the last 20 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

[7] 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. Australia has sought to develop Tasmania as a tourist paradise, away from the mainland. Dubai investors will help Nigeria 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 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

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