SUNTV Global Channel | January 17, 2026 | Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after weeks outside the country, following his participation in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where Nigeria secured a landmark trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The President’s return was confirmed on Saturday in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, President Tinubu had left Nigeria on Sunday, December 28, 2025, travelling first to Paris to spend the remainder of his annual leave before proceeding to Abu Dhabi for the high-level global summit.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, held from January 11 to 15, 2026, brought together world leaders, policymakers, investors, and experts to deliberate on climate action, sustainable development, energy transition, and economic transformation.
Nigeria, UAE Seal Landmark Economic Partnership
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria and the UAE signed a major Economic Partnership Agreement, a deal expected to significantly boost trade, investment, and economic cooperation between both countries.
A key feature of the agreement is duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE market, opening new opportunities for Nigerian exporters, manufacturers, and producers to tap into one of the Middle East’s most strategic commercial hubs.
Beyond trade liberalisation, the partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, renewable energy, and technology transfer, areas central to Nigeria’s economic diversification and non-oil export drive.
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 ceremony was witnessed by President Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the high-level political commitment backing the deal.
Sustained Global Engagement
President Tinubu’s presence at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week marked his second consecutive appearance at the event, following his participation in the 2025 edition. The presidency described this as a reflection of Nigeria’s sustained engagement with global platforms focused on sustainability, energy transition, and economic cooperation.
The UAE has in recent years emerged as a key economic partner to Nigeria, with expanding interests across aviation, energy, trade, and infrastructure development.
Back To Official Duties
With his return to Abuja, President Tinubu is expected to resume official duties, as his administration continues efforts to attract foreign investment, deepen international partnerships, and reposition Nigeria as a competitive player in the global economy.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the implementation of the Nigeria–UAE trade agreement and its potential impact on the Nigerian economy.
