Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE) dey prepare to sign one major economic agreement as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu go meet with UAE President, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), for bilateral talks inside Abu Dhabi.
The agreement, wey dem call Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), go happen on the sideline of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week wey dey go on for UAE capital.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, talk this one while e dey brief journalists for Abu Dhabi. According to am, the agreement go formalise economic relationship between Nigeria and UAE, increase investor confidence, and protect businesses wey dey operate for both countries.
Tuggar say CEPA na one of the main outcomes wey President Tinubu carry come the sustainability summit, adding say many UAE investors don dey wait make the agreement conclude so their investments for Nigeria go dey safe and predictable.
“President Tinubu go meet UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, and one of the key matters na this Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement wey dem expect say dem go sign for that meeting,” Tuggar talk.
The minister explain say the deal no be only to attract UAE investors come Nigeria, but also to protect Nigerians wey dey do business for abroad, especially for Dubai where many Nigerians get companies and even factories.
“This agreement go also protect Nigerian investments. Plenty Nigerians dey run businesses for Dubai, some even get factories. E go give Nigerians dignity and ensure say dem respect dem anywhere dem go invest or visit,” Tuggar add.
Tuggar describe Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week as important platform wey dey connect big climate meetings like COP and real action on ground.
“This forum dey between COP meetings. If you no concretise agreements, everything go just end for talk,” he say.
He add say Nigeria come the forum to turn climate promises into real, fundable projects, especially as the country still get gap for project preparation.
“This na opportunity to bring identified projects and source funding from countries and organisations wey dey here,” Tuggar explain.
On areas wey Nigeria and UAE go focus on, Tuggar mention gas development for electricity generation as top priority. He say Nigeria get plenty gas but lack of investment don cause steady power wahala.
“We dey look to invest more for gas to power electricity. We get plenty gas, pipelines dey constructed, and licensing rounds dey go on. This go open door for more exploration and production,” he talk.
The minister also talk say trade, agriculture, manufacturing, finance, and aviation go benefit from the growing Nigeria–UAE relationship. He recall say airline trapped funds issue don settle since President Tinubu enter office, making travel and financial transactions easier for Nigerians abroad.
Tuggar say President Tinubu go use him speech for the forum to highlight Nigeria’s climate priorities, commitments, and how the country wan make climate projects attractive to global investors.
“Mr President go talk about our goals, commitments, and how to ensure say the projects we bring go make sense and attract funding,” he say.
He conclude say Nigeria’s presence for the forum show serious commitment to sustainability, climate action, and long-term economic growth.
