President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on a journey to Europe, marking a continuation of his end-of-year break and setting the stage for a significant diplomatic engagement in the Middle East early in the new year.
Presidential Itinerary and Key Invitation
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President departed from Lagos on Sunday, December 28, 2025. This European leg of his travel precedes a major official visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The trip to the UAE is in response to a formal invitation extended by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates. President Tinubu is scheduled to participate in the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit.
Focus on Sustainable Development
The ADSW summit is a prominent annual gathering that brings together a global roster of leaders from government, business, and civil society. The core mission of the weeklong event is to strategize and map out the future of sustainable development across the world.
Onanuga highlighted that the summit serves as a crucial platform for mobilizing action and collaboration on pressing environmental and developmental challenges. President Tinubu's attendance underscores Nigeria's commitment to engaging with international partners on these critical global issues.
Return Schedule and Diplomatic Significance
The presidential aide confirmed that President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria following the conclusion of the summit, which is slated to take place in the emirate in early January 2026.
This visit represents a notable moment in bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UAE, following a period of diplomatic recalibration. The personal invitation from the UAE President signals a strengthening of ties and a mutual interest in fostering cooperation, particularly in areas of sustainable economic growth and development.
