President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates signed a major trade agreement aimed at boosting economic cooperation between both countries.
The President’s return was confirmed on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued to the public.
President Tinubu had left Nigeria on Sunday, December 28, 2025, for Paris to conclude the remaining part of his annual leave before proceeding to Abu Dhabi for the global sustainability summit, which held from January 11 to January 15. This marks the second consecutive year the President has attended the event.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement designed to strengthen bilateral trade, attract investment, encourage technology transfer and expand collaboration in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
Under the agreement, thousands of Nigerian products will enjoy duty-free access to the UAE market. The deal also allows Nigerian businesses to open offices and subsidiaries in the UAE, while business owners can stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 12-month period.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Nigeria by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, while the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed for the Emirates. The signing was witnessed by President Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dr. Oduwole described the agreement as a major opportunity for Nigerian exporters, noting that it would provide easier access to global markets through the UAE.
During his address at the summit, President Tinubu announced Nigeria’s plan to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance to support energy transition reforms and expand electricity access across the country.
Read Also;
Delta Declared Ready to Host 2026 Police Games in Asaba
He also revealed that Nigeria’s Climate Investment Platform aims to raise $500 million for climate-resilient infrastructure, while the National Climate Change Fund is targeting a $2 billion capital base.
The President further disclosed that a joint Nigeria–UAE Investopia Summit will be held in Lagos in February, bringing together investors, policymakers, innovators and business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is a global annual forum organised by the UAE to drive conversations around 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 for sustainable development.
