The Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has described Nigeria as the business hub of Africa and a potential world super-power.

He made this remark at a recent meeting with the CEO of a Nigerian construction firm, Sujimoto Group, Sijibomi Ogundele, during the latter’s visit to Dubai. The forum was strategically designed to explore investment opportunities and exchange between Nigerian luxury real estate brand, Sujimoto Construction and top Emirati architectural firms.

  

  Speaking further, Shiekh Al Maktoum added, “Dubai is great, but Nigeria’s potential is beyond our imagination. Nigeria would be one of the greatest countries not only in Africa but also in the world with the right investments and infrastructural developments. Her economy is developing rapidly and her construction industries can match what obtains in many advanced countries.’’

   

  On his part, Ogundele whose construction outfit is at the forefront of redefining and delivering high-value residential structures in Nigeria and major international cities said, “ The real-estate sector in Dubai inspires me a lot so I desire to transform the Nigerian building sector to match that of the UAE.

“Our flagship buildings, ‘LorenzoBySujimoto’, are designed after outstanding UAE structures. We intend to achieve this by bridging the gap in the provision of exceptional luxury structures in Lagos, Nigeria, other parts of West and ultimately the UAE.”

   

  Sharing his vision for his country since he assumed leadership of the UAE in 2006, he said, “Failure is never an option. Dubai can never afford to settle for less. The fear of failure is my number one motivating factor. I wake up each day reminding myself that I would do everything to show the world that the UAE and Dubai in particular would never become followers but Leaders in all sectors of leadership.

  Sijibomi Ogundele concluded that with the right investments and infrastructural developments, Nigeria’s economy would develop rapidly and our construction industries would be able to match what obtains in many advanced countries.

Source: Punch