President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has left Nigeria, embarking on a journey that will see him participate in a major global forum on sustainability and climate action in the Middle East.
President's Travel Itinerary and Summit Details
On Sunday, 28 December 2025, President Tinubu departed from Lagos, heading first to Europe. This leg of his trip continues his end-of-year break and serves as a prelude to his official diplomatic mission. His ultimate destination is Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The President is travelling on a formal invitation extended by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. He is scheduled to take part in the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026). This prestigious event is set to occur in the UAE capital in the first half of January.
Focus of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026
ADSW is recognized as the premier sustainability forum in the Middle East. It brings together a powerful assembly of international figures from governments, the business and finance sectors, and civil society. The core mission is to drive forward practical solutions for sustainable development, decisive climate action, and building economic resilience.
The platform is designed to foster innovation, attract crucial investments, and solidify international partnerships to tackle the world's most urgent challenges. The theme for the 2026 summit is "The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go." This theme highlights the critical links between technological innovation, financial systems, and human capital in speeding up sustainable and inclusive growth across the globe.
Key areas of discussion will include:
- Renewable energy sources
- The circular economy model
- Global water security
- The potential of green hydrogen
Nigeria's Agenda and Participation
Organised by Masdar and under the direct patronage of the UAE President, ADSW 2026 is projected to draw over 50,000 attendees from more than 175 nations. The activities will run from 11 to 17 January 2026, primarily hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and Masdar City.
During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to hold high-level engagements with other world leaders and key stakeholders. The discussions will centre on issues that are vital to Nigeria's national development plans. These priorities include:
- A just energy transition
- Accessing global climate finance
- Attracting infrastructure investment
- Further diversifying the Nigerian economy
In a statement released on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the travel plans. He also stated that President Tinubu will return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the international summit.
