President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Saturday, January 17, 2026, concluding a strategically significant trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he led the Nigerian delegation at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
The President’s arrival marks the end of a week of high-level diplomatic engagements that culminated in the signing of a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Nigeria and the UAE.
The agreement, finalized on the sidelines of the summit, is poised to reshape economic relations between the two nations by eliminating tariffs and opening new avenues for trade.
The newly signed CEPA represents a major diplomatic victory for the Tinubu administration, signaling a robust expansion of bilateral cooperation. The pact is designed to facilitate technology transfer and boost investment across critical sectors including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and mining.
According to government officials, the agreement will eliminate tariffs on thousands of Nigerian products, significantly enhancing the competitiveness of Nigeria’s non-oil exports in the Middle East.
It also establishes a framework for mutual market access in services, providing clearer rules for businesses and investors from both countries.
Lagos to Host Global Investors
In a move to immediately capitalize on the momentum of the new partnership, President Tinubu announced that Lagos will host a joint Nigeria-UAE “Investopia” summit in February 2026.
Addressing the ADSW delegates, the President described the upcoming Lagos event as a pivotal initiative to attract global capital. The summit is expected to bring together policymakers, innovators, and international investors to explore opportunities within Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape, further positioning the country as a premier destination for foreign direct investment.
Ambitious Climate Finance Goals
President Tinubu also used the global platform of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to the green energy transition. In his national statement, he unveiled an ambitious target to mobilize up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
The President emphasized that this capital is essential for accelerating energy transition reforms and expanding electricity access nationwide. He highlighted recent domestic policy shifts, such as the Electricity Act of 2023 and the National Carbon Market Activation Policy, as evidence of Nigeria’s readiness to absorb significant green investment.
“Developing countries require equitable climate finance, accessible technologies, and robust capacity building,” Tinubu told the summit, stressing that Nigeria is moving beyond ambition to concrete delivery.
The President was accompanied on the trip by key cabinet members, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who played a central role in negotiating the trade terms.
With the delegation now back in Abuja, attention shifts to the implementation of the CEPA terms and the preparations for the Investopia summit next month, which observers view as a litmus test for the administration’s economic diplomacy efforts.
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