Tinubu, who left Nigeria last year, has returned to Abuja after Europe, Abu Dhabi trip
By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTER, Abuja
According to him, President Tinubu attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu, who left the country through Lagos for an undisclosed destination in Europe last year, has returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital after later participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the president’s return in a statement, titled “President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi trip”, issued on Saturday January 17, 2026 in Abuja.
At the Dr. Nmamdi Azikiwe International Airport to receive the president were his Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and National Security Adviser to the President Nuhu Ribadu among others.
According to him, President Tinubu attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement grants duty-free access for thousands of Nigerian products into the UAE market and aims to deepen economic cooperation, boost bilateral trade and investment, enhance technology transfer, and expand collaboration across key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and renewable energy.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Sheikh Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed for the Emirates. Both President Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the signing.
Speaking after the ceremony, Oduwole said the agreement would give Nigerian exporters a gateway to global markets.
She noted that Nigerian businesses would be able to open offices and subsidiaries in the UAE, while business owners could stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 12-month period.
In his address to the summit, President Tinubu announced that Nigeria aims to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as part of efforts to accelerate energy transition reforms and expand electricity access nationwide.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s Climate Investment Platform would mobilise $500m for climate-resilient infrastructure, while the National Climate Change Fund is targeting a $2 billion capitalisation.
The President also announced that a joint Nigeria-UAE Investopia summit would be held in Lagos in February.
In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.
The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.
Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity.
