The announcement by BlackRock, the biggest asset management company in the world, that it is buying Global Infrastructure Partners, a company founded by Nigerian investment banker, Adebayo Ogunlesi, in a $12.5bn deal is indeed, a good news for Nigeria.
Blackrock is to pay $3bn in cash and offer Ogunlesi and five other co-founders of Global Infrastructure Partners 12 million shares in Blackrock, thus making them the second biggest shareholders in the global asset management giant, the statement said on Friday.
Going further, BlackRock said it would also appoint Ogunlesi, GIP Founding Partner, chairman and CEO, to the board at the next scheduled board meeting after the close of the deal.
“The combination of GIP with BlackRock’s highly complementary infrastructure offerings creates a comprehensive global infrastructure franchise with differentiated origination and asset management capabilities,” the statement said.
In a world where negative reports about Nigeria and Nigerians is always making headlines in the foreign world and our green passport is treated with utter disdain, Ogunlesi’s exploits in the finance world and his latest deal with BlackRock will further shore up the image of our country in the international community.
Beyond the usual rhetorics of presidential congratulations which is the norm whenever a Nigerian achieves a global success or recognition, the Federal Government, ably led by President Bola Tinubu should endeavour to tap into Ogunlesi’s wealth of knowledge and see how he can assist in revamping Nigeria’s moribund economy.
With a dollar to Naira at N1,300 and a Pound Sterling at N,1600, the Nigerian economy is at an all-time low and it appears there is no hope in sight. Many multinationals are exiting the country while many local manufacturers who are unable to access forex are folding up.
The removal of fuel subsidy has further worsened the living condition of the masses as prices of goods and services have skyrocketed. The Federal government announced palliatives to cushion the effects but the programme has been enmeshed in corruption with the current Minister in charge, Betta Edu suspended and questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The economic situation has forced many young Nigerians to relocate abroad in search of greener pastures, consumer spending has also collapsed as people get poorer while unemployment rate keeps will rising.
Ogunlesi has made our country proud and he is a shining example of who a good Nigerian should be. President Bola Tinubu should reach out to him and other like-minds and see how they can contribute to the uplitfment of the country, not just in the economic sector but other key areas.