Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Nigeria on Sunday, 28 December 2025, embarking on a trip to Europe that marks the first leg of his travel ahead of an official engagement at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The foreign itinerary, confirmed by the Presidency, comes as part of the president’s end-of-year break and ahead of the high-profile international summit scheduled for early January in Abu Dhabi.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu left Lagos late Sunday afternoon to continue his holiday in Europe before travelling to the UAE at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The president is expected to return to Nigeria after participating in the week-long summit.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week gathering is recognised as one of the world’s foremost platforms for discussions on sustainable development, innovation, climate action, finance and economic transformation. The 2026 iteration of the summit, themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” aims to mobilise global leaders from government, business and civil society to forge pathways toward resilient and equitable growth. It will bring together policymakers, investors, private sector executives and civil society actors to shape responses to pressing global challenges.
Officials from the Presidency highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to engaging in global dialogues on sustainability and economic development, linking domestic priorities with broader efforts to promote renewable energy, climate resilience and investment in green technologies. Tinubu’s participation underscores Nigeria’s intent to position itself within emerging frameworks of international cooperation on sustainable initiatives, particularly as the continent navigates intensifying climate impacts and development imperatives.
Tinubu’s travel follows a series of domestic engagements earlier in December, including visits to Borno and Bauchi States where he attended official functions and community events, and his return to Lagos to spend the Christmas period with family and associates. The European stopover was described by aides as part of a necessary break after a busy year of governance and international diplomacy.
Despite the official framing around the sustainability summit, the trip has drawn sharp political reactions at home. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), a registered political party in Nigeria, publicly criticised the decision to travel abroad amid ongoing domestic challenges. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, took to social media to denounce the timing of the trip, particularly coming on the heels of a deadly bomb blast in Zamfara State that killed several travellers and heightened anxieties over security in parts of the country. ADC officials argued that citizens were expecting national leadership to remain present and address urgent security concerns rather than being abroad.
The ADC’s critique echoed broader debates within Nigeria about leadership priorities and the visibility of government during times of national distress. Opposition figures argued that the president’s absence could be perceived as insensitive, especially given the gravity of security threats affecting everyday Nigerians, from terrorism to communal conflicts. These voices called for stronger communication from the presidency to reassure citizens and outline concrete actions being taken to address internal security issues.
In response, the Presidency reaffirmed that Tinubu’s travel is both a planned continuation of his year-end respite and an official engagement on the international calendar. Government spokespeople emphasised that the president is fully briefed on domestic developments and remains engaged through regular updates from security agencies and senior cabinet officials even while overseas. They also noted that Nigeria’s participation in international platforms such as the ADSW summit is vital for advancing national interests and expanding economic and diplomatic partnerships.
Analysts say that the summit represents a chance for Nigeria to attract foreign investments, particularly in renewable energy, sustainable finance and climate-aligned infrastructure, areas that could hold promise for long-term economic diversification. They also view the event as an opportunity for the administration to deepen bilateral ties with the UAE and other Gulf states, countries that have shown growing interest in African markets and energy transition initiatives.
However, observers point out that the timing of such international engagements must be carefully balanced with domestic priorities. Nigeria faces persistent challenges, including insecurity, economic pressures, inflationary trends and social unrest in various regions. Critics argue that while international participation is important, it must not detract from the immediate needs of the Nigerian populace or convey a sense of detachment from the day-to-day realities confronting citizens.
Beyond political reactions, civil society groups have urged transparent communication from the presidency about the objectives of the trip and the expected outcomes of the president’s participation at the ADSW summit. They stress that citizens deserve clarity on how international engagements translate into tangible benefits for the country, especially in areas such as job creation, climate adaptation and economic growth.
Looking ahead, Tinubu’s itinerary is expected to include high-level discussions with global counterparts in Abu Dhabi on topics such as sustainable finance, energy transitions and inclusive economic frameworks. Nigeria’s delegation is likely to leverage the platform to showcase the country’s potential as a strategic partner in development initiatives and to explore avenues for collaboration that align with the nation’s economic reform agenda.
As the president embarks on this diplomatic journey, stakeholders at home will be watching closely to assess both the domestic response and the diplomatic returns from his engagement in one of the world’s leading sustainability forums. How the administration balances international commitments with internal governance challenges will remain a key theme in Nigeria’s political discourse in the weeks ahead.
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