Nigeria is aiming at an annual economic growth of no less than seven per cent, Vice President Kashim Shettima said yesterday.
He said the anticipated growth would be anchored on macroeconomic stability, improved productivity, and strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.
Shettima expressed the optimism during his bilateral engagements with the Namibian delegation on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States. 
He also called for a stronger relation between Nigeria and Namibia.
Shettima, who is representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the global event, said Nigeria’s growth ambitions were backed by reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima welcomed President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitbia’s visit to President Tinubu in Nigeria.
The Namibian leader, who assumed the presidency on March 21, praised Nigerian diplomats for their invaluable contributions to her government and country in so many ways.
She acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, saying: “All the Nigerian diplomats were basically Namiians, helping in so many ways.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah said she found it appropriate to leverage the UNGA opportunity to meet with Vice President Shettima, adding: “I will still find time to come physically and introduce myself to the President.”
Vice President Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Namibia.
He said: “We are all Africans, and the Nigeria–Namibia relationship should be taken to the next level, beyond where it is now.”
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.
