President Bola Tinubu arrived in the United Arab Emirates late Sunday night, January 11, 2026, ahead of the high-stakes Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
The President’s aircraft touched down at the Presidential Wing of Zayed International Airport at exactly 11:30 pm local time.
He was greeted by a high-level UAE delegation led by Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi.
Tinubu’s arrival in Abu Dhabi follows a strategic stopover in Europe.
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During the final days of his end-of-year break, the President held crucial talks in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron (France).
Their discussion focuses on economic partnerships and regional security.
He also met with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and they deliberated on African integration and the continent’s position in a shifting global landscape.
Beginning Monday, January 12, the President will join world leaders, policymakers, and green-tech innovators for ADSW 2026.
This year’s summit is themed: “The Nexus of Next, All Systems Go.”
The summit focused on three primary pillars.
The first was energy transition, with discussions centred on modernising global power grids and scaling up renewable energy capacity.
The second pillar addressed climate finance, emphasising the need to bridge the investment gap facing emerging economies such as Nigeria.
The third focused on inclusive growth, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the transition to a green economy generates local jobs and strengthens infrastructure.
The visit marks a continued deepening of the diplomatic “reset” between Nigeria and the UAE.
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Welcoming the President at his hotel were key cabinet members and security chiefs, including Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that the visit positions Nigeria as an “active contributor” to global climate solutions while reinforcing bilateral economic ties that have seen significant growth over the past two years.
