US advises Nigeria to engage technocrats so as to record speedy economic growth and development in Nigeria

The United States Vice President , Joe Biden, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to engage technocrats to manage key sectors of the economy if the country must record economic fortunes and attract foreign investments. He also shared notes with the Nigerian leader, who is paying his first official visit to the United States, on terror war.

 A statement signed by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, revealed that in a breakfast meeting hosted by Biden yesterday, the vice president and Buhari compared notes on the fight against terrorism, with Biden sharing his country’s experiences. According to Adesina, at the meeting, which was held at the Naval Observatory, Biden’s official residence, the vice president shared “what the US had learnt from the terror war, counseling that victory cannot come from military option alone.” Adesina quoted Biden as saying that military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes, as he promised that the US would work with Nigeria in that direction.

The statement said: “VP Biden assured of the goodwill of the United States in rebuilding the Nigerian economy, but observed that corruption and weak institutions must be tackled, if Nigeria was to benefit from reforms. “He added that seasoned technocrats must manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy, and only then would investors be attracted to the country.” Biden also congratulated Buhari for emerging President after his victory on March 28 elections, saying that he enjoys the confidence of Nigerians.

In his response, Buhari thanked the US for standing by Nigeria in the run-up to the last general elections, noting that the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was critical, as it sent home the message that “America would not brook the subversion of the people’s will.” President Buhari said that Nigeria has lost between $10 and $20 billion to oil theft, stressing that such income could have been deployed in sectors like education and healthcare, among others.