Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria today following his participation, alongside several key ministers, in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) held in the United Arab Emirates. The visit — part diplomatic engagement, part international economic outreach — produced a series of agreements and commitments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s global economic ties, accelerating climate action, and attracting foreign investment.
The President’s return was confirmed in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, who detailed developments achieved on the sidelines of the summit. Among the most significant was the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The partnership pact is expected to deepen bilateral economic cooperation, boost trade and investment, enhance technology transfer, and widen collaboration across crucial sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and renewable energy. It is also seen as a framework to increase access for Nigerian products into the UAE market and support mutual economic growth.
During his address at the summit, President Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE will jointly host the global INVESTOPIA forum in Lagos this February, designed to attract international investors and showcase Nigeria’s reform‑driven economic opportunities. The event forms part of a broader strategy to position Nigeria as a destination for sustainable, long‑term investment.
INVESTOPIA, a high‑profile investment platform originally convened by the UAE, brings together global business leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore investment avenues and forge partnerships that can accelerate economic development. Nigeria’s co‑hosting role is expected to elevate the country’s profile in global investment circles and facilitate direct engagement with capital flows targeting African markets.
In his remarks, President Tinubu outlined Nigeria’s ambition to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as the country advances energy transition reforms and expands nationwide access to electricity. This commitment places climate finance at the heart of Nigeria’s development blueprint, aiming to unlock capital for both public‑sector and private‑sector climate projects.
Nigeria’s energy transition agenda, framed within ongoing reforms, seeks to balance the imperatives of economic growth with climate resilience. The mobilisation of large‑scale green finance underscores the government’s intent to leverage international partnerships to drive sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy expansion, and inclusive development that benefits both urban and rural communities.
The 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which brings together global leaders, development partners, investors, and policymakers, is a key platform for accelerating global climate action and sustainable development initiatives. Nigeria’s active participation at the summit reflects a concerted effort by the Tinubu administration to integrate the country into global sustainability dialogues while securing economic and environmental dividends from international cooperation.
The CEPA with the UAE provides duty‑free access to thousands of Nigerian products and opens avenues for Nigerian companies to establish offices and subsidiaries in the Emirates, with provisions allowing business owners extended stays for commercial engagements. This marks a pivotal moment in bilateral economic relations, especially as Nigeria seeks diversified partnerships beyond traditional markets.
Nigeria’s ongoing reforms, including efforts to enhance trade facilitation and ease of doing business, are expected to be further amplified by this agreement. The technology transfer commitments inherent in CEPA could also bolster Nigeria’s domestic capacities in sectors such as renewable energy and digital trade, potentially unlocking innovation and competitiveness for local industries.
President Tinubu’s engagement at ADSW 2026, which marks his second consecutive attendance at the summit, signals Nigeria’s sustained commitment to sustainability and climate action. Participation at such global forums also underlines the administration’s diplomatic strategy, which emphasises economic diplomacy as a means of advancing national development priorities.
Analysts view the joint hosting of INVESTOPIA and the signing of CEPA as tangible outcomes that could strengthen Nigeria’s investment climate, attract foreign direct investment, and enhance economic ties with the Gulf region. The emphasis on climate finance further aligns with international expectations that emerging economies adopt forward‑looking strategies to address climate change while pursuing economic growth.
As President Tinubu returns to Nigeria, the government and private sector stakeholders are expected to harness the momentum from ADSW 2026 to implement agreed initiatives, welcome new investment inflows, and sustain engagement with international partners. The success of these efforts could have far‑reaching implications for Nigeria’s economic transformation and its role in global sustainability frameworks.
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