President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja following his participation in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and a brief stay in Paris.
The President’s return was confirmed on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement titled “President Tinubu Returns to Nigeria After Abu Dhabi Trip.”
President Tinubu had travelled to Paris on Sunday, December 28, 2025, to complete the remaining part of his annual leave before proceeding to Abu Dhabi for the international summit, which held from January 11 to 15.
During the event, President Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
The agreement is expected to grant duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE market while strengthening economic cooperation between both countries.
The partnership aims to boost bilateral trade and investment, enhance technology transfer, and expand collaboration across critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and renewable energy.
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed for the Emirates.
Both President Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were present at the signing ceremony.
Speaking on the agreement, Oduwole described it as a major opportunity for Nigerian exporters to access global markets.
She noted that Nigerian businesses would be allowed to establish offices and subsidiaries in the UAE, while business owners could stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 12-month period.
Addressing participants at the summit, President Tinubu announced Nigeria’s plan to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial financing to fast-track energy transition reforms and expand electricity access nationwide.
He further disclosed that the Climate Investment Platform would mobilise $500 million for climate-resilient infrastructure, while the National Climate Change Fund is targeting a capitalisation of $2 billion.
The President also revealed that a joint Nigeria–UAE Investopia summit is scheduled to take place in Lagos in February, bringing together investors, policymakers, innovators, and business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is an annual global platform convened by the UAE to promote dialogue on sustainability, climate action, and energy transition.
The 2026 edition, themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” focused on integrating finance, technology, energy, and human capital to achieve sustainable development.
