President Bola Tinubu has stated that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Nigeria signed with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a historic one that will deepen cooperation in the areas of aviation, agriculture, climate-smart infrastructure, logistics and digital trade, creating enduring opportunities for the people of the two countries.
Tinubu stated this while speaking at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), shortly after the signing of the agreement on Tuesday, January 13.
According to a statement by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the agreement was signed in the presence of President Tinubu, President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade and Minister in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
Commenting on the agreement, UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a post on X, said the move highlights the country’s quest to build enduring global partnerships and foster sustainable development.
“Today in Abu Dhabi, alongside President Bola Tinubu, I witnessed the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Nigeria. With the aim of advancing the growing economic ties between our countries, this agreement underscores the UAE’s determination to build lasting global partnerships and foster development and prosperity for generations to come,” the UAE president wrote on his official X handle on Tuesday.
UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Zeyoudi, said the agreement would help to cement the “fast-growing economic ties” between the two countries.
Tinubu announced that, as a follow-up to the signing of the CEPA, Nigeria will co-host Investopia with the UAE in Lagos in February.
The initiative is aimed at attracting global investors and accelerating sustainable investment inflows.
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He explained that Investopia will bring together investors, innovators, policymakers, and business leaders to transform opportunities into commitment and ideas into investment. ”We warmly invite our partners to join us and help build the next chapter of sustainable and shared prosperity for Nigeria, Africa, and the world,” Tinubu stated.
A statement from the State House said the bilateral agreement will remove trade barriers, improve market access, and provide stronger protections and certainty for investors and businesses.
The Nigerian leader highlighted several moves by the country towards implementing the climate sustainability agenda.
Some of them include the adoption of the National Carbon Market Activation Policy and the launch of the National Carbon Registry to improve emissions reporting and verification.
These measures, according to him, are aimed at improving transparency and investor confidence.
He said Nigeria targets raising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as it accelerates energy transition reforms and expands nationwide electricity access.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
