President Bola Tinubu arrived back in Abuja on Saturday night, January 17, 2026, following a 20-day trip that included a brief stay in France and an official mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Tinubu attended the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go.” The visit culminated in the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a strategic deal aimed at eliminating trade barriers and boosting bilateral investment between the two nations.
The CEPA, signed by Industry Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and UAE’s Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, provides Nigerian exporters with duty-free access for thousands of products into the UAE market. Beyond trade, the agreement facilitates technology transfer and expands collaboration in mining, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Under the new terms, Nigerian business owners will be eligible to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days annually, and businesses can more easily establish local subsidiaries, marking a significant thaw in relations following previous visa and flight disputes.
During the summit, President Tinubu announced an ambitious goal for Nigeria to mobilize $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance. He detailed plans for a National Climate Change Fund with a $2 billion capital target and a Climate Investment Platform to fund resilient infrastructure. These initiatives are designed to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition while expanding electricity access to millions of underserved citizens. Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria is positioning itself as a premier destination for sustainable global capital.
To further cement these ties, the President announced that a joint Nigeria-UAE Investopia summit will be hosted in Lagos in February 2026. This upcoming event is expected to attract high-level investors and innovators to explore the opportunities created by the new trade agreement.
