Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has advocated for focus on the non- oil sector for economic growth, stating that the lottery sector is a non-oil sector investment that is yet to be fully tapped into in Nigeria in the face of growing population.
He stated this while hosting the management team of the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission, (NLRC), led by its Director-General, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila in Abuja.
He said lottery is not always gambling as held by some people but is an enterprise that many go into and feed their families from the proceeds of lottery business.
The minister in a statement by the Director Press & Public Relations Department of the ministry, Ozoya Imohimi, pointed that there is an established correlation between lottery and crime but it not the same.
“There is a close link between lottery, gambling, drugs, money laundering and terrorism, hence the need for the ministry of Interior saddled with responsibility of internal security to partner with NLRC to provide a conducive atmosphere for foreign investors to operate in the country,” he said.
The minister commended the Director-General for curtailing the abuses in lottery processes in Nigeria. He said this was attributed to the reforms instituted by him in the lottery sector.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila said he was in the Ministry of Interior to solicit for support and collaboration to achieve ease of doing business for foreign investors.
He said lottery business attracts foreign investors, especially as it relates to the non-oil sector.
According to him, with the collaboration, the Commission will be able to identify investors in the sector.
