President Bola Tinubu says the Nigerian economy is lagging behind while begging the United States of America to urgently help the country to prevent the most populous African nation from eating enemies’ dinner.

“Nigeria is an oil-producing nation and a developing economy that needs revenue from fossil fuel for growth and development,” Mr Tinubu said.

“We cherish our partnership with the United States. My concern is whether United States is giving us enough as much as we need. The U.S. should not make us hungry to the point we will have to eat the dinner of our enemy.”

The President made this plea at a meeting with United States assistant secretary of state, bureau of energy resources, Ambassador Geoffrey Praytt, at the State House, Abuja on Monday, according to a statement by Mr Tinubu’s spokesperson, Dele Alake.

He further begged the U.S. saying “we need the funding support to help us drive and accelerate our energy diversification. There are bottlenecks that must be unbottled in terms of how the U.S. bureaucracy responds to our needs. Help must be given when it is needed.

“We are ready to learn and develop to join 21st century economy. Please take it home that we need help and very quickly too. I am honoured with your recognition of the baby steps we have taken so far. I want to assure you that Nigeria will honour her obligations on climate change and renewables,” Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Praytt was quoted in the statement to have said, “we are opening a new page in U.S. relations with Nigeria. Nigeria is taking important steps in growing the renewable energy to meet the need of her citizens.

“We are very happy with our work with NNPCL and your team. Your new special adviser on energy is already doing very well.”