President Bola Tinubu has called on Africa to act now, saying that the continent has what it takes to develop itself.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, January 12, at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He is in the city to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (January 12-18), which brings together global leaders to promote sustainable development and advance socio-economic progress. During the event, Tinubu is expected to highlight his administration’s key reforms in areas such as energy sufficiency, transportation, public health, and economic development.
On the eve of the summit, Tinubu held a productive meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Both leaders emphasized Africa's vast potential for self-development, stressing the importance of improving intra-African trade and collaboration. Tinubu's message, shared on his official X handle (@officialABAT), stated that Africa has the resources, people, and capacity to propel its own development and that "the time for Africa is now."
Tinubu’s presence at the summit also presents an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and the UAE. Accompanying the president on this visit are Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and APC Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. The summit is centered around the theme "The Nexus of Next: Supercharging Sustainable Progress" and serves as a platform for discussions on strategies for transitioning to sustainable economies globally.