Report any Nigerian official asking for bribe to me, Tinubu tells Qatari investors

Doha: Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently visiting Qatar, has instructed Qatari investors and officials not to offer or accept bribes from any Nigerian official and report any Nigerian official asking for bribe, Nigerian online newspaper Peoples Gazette has reported. 

The report said Tinubu has vowed his administration will not tolerate any act of corruption and indiscipline including bribery that will cause potential investors to lose confidence to invest in Nigeria. 

Speaking on Sunday at the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha, Tinubu clarified that during his administration, Nigeria was dispelling earlier bribery stereotypes that have stifled collaborations with other countries in favour of reforms aimed at improving the country’s standing among its international counterparts , the report adds.

“Forget about whatever you heard in the past,” Tinubu told Qatari investors on Sunday. “Whatever is the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced; it is in the past, because there is no obstacle in the future.”

Accompanied by the foreign affairs minister Yusuf Tuggar, Tinubu instructed Qatari officials not to offer or accept bribes from any Nigerian official. The Nigerian president also gave the Qataris the option of contacting him directly to report any citizen pressuring them for financial inducements.

“Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me,” The Nigerian leader stressed in a statement released by his aide, Ajuri Ngelale.

“Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country. Bring your investments,” Tinubu said.