Kehinde Fajobi
The United Arab Emirates President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has accepted an invitation from President Bola Tinubu to visit Nigeria later this year.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday morning.
He noted that the invitation was extended during bilateral talks held on Wednesday night at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025.
President Tinubu, who arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, participated in the event as a guest of the UAE president.
The forum, which focuses on sustainable development and addressing global challenges such as climate change, water, and energy crises, provided a platform for the two leaders to discuss strengthening ties.
“During the discussions, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked the Nigerian leader for accepting his invitation and expressed the UAE’s determination to strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and his country,” the statement read.
It added that both leaders discussed investment opportunities, with President Tinubu highlighting the positive impact of his administration’s economic reforms.
He reportedly said, “The reforms have stabilised and grown the economy, encouraging foreign investors, including international oil companies, to announce billion-dollar investments, signalling renewed confidence in doing business with Africa’s most populous nation.”
Tinubu also thanked the UAE president for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation.
Key officials from both nations participated in the meeting. Nigeria was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The UAE delegation included Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and other top officials, including the UAE ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi.