Oluwatobi Adu 
President Bola Tinubu and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, His Highness, Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan at State House, Abuja.
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria UAE partnership is set to expand after both countries agree to strengthen cooperation across agriculture, energy, banking, artificial intelligence, infrastructure and industrial development as they seek to boost trade and investment.
The commitment follows a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Sunday by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The discussions build on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed earlier this year to increase bilateral trade, improve market access and attract investment.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu describes the talks as productive and says they reflect the growing strategic relationship between both countries.
“The meeting was constructive and candid. Nigeria and the UAE are strengthening cooperation in agriculture, banking, energy, artificial intelligence, industrialisation and infrastructure, while preparations are underway for a Joint Commission meeting,” she says.
The minister says trade and investment remain at the centre of the Nigeria UAE partnership, noting that non-oil trade between both countries is now valued at about five billion dollars.
She says CEPA removes tariffs on more than 7,000 Nigerian products exported to the UAE and over 6,000 Emirati products entering Nigeria, creating new business opportunities through expanded market access and improved services.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also reveals that First Abu Dhabi Bank plans to establish operations in Lagos, describing the move as another milestone in financial cooperation.
She adds that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery recently imported crude oil from the UAE for the first time, calling it another sign of deepening commercial ties.
“Nigeria remains committed to strengthening our bilateral relations and building on the long-standing cordial relationship that exists between both countries,” she says.
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Otamere Gladness 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Hussaini Ibrahim 