Nigeria, Sept. 1 -- The purpose of the "airplane-driven trade policymaking" that the federal government embarked upon last week was to underscore Nigeria's growing allure as an investment destination. From Tokyo to Brasilia, the Tinubu government simply said, "We are not just a place to do serious business with, we are also seriously open for business". On what evidence? Since coming to office, two years ago, the incumbent federal government has given supply-side reforms a boost in the arm. Its attempts at adjustments to the domestic energy markets (still incomplete, truth to tell), removal of the fuel subsidy regime, and import restrictions, have looked to bring down major cost elements of doing business in the country.

Further down the...