Tinubu receives UAE Foreign Affairs Minister at State House

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received His Highness Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at the State House in Abuja.The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, underscores the growing diplomatic and economic relationship between Nigeria and the UAE as both countries continue to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and other strategic sectors.

Although details of the discussions were not immediately disclosed, the visit comes against the backdrop of increasing high-level engagements between Abuja and Abu Dhabi aimed at deepening bilateral ties.Nigeria and the UAE have significantly expanded their partnership under President Tinubu’s administration, with both countries pursuing closer collaboration in commerce, logistics, renewable energy, agriculture and investment.

Earlier this year, Nigeria and the UAE concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), while both governments also agreed to co-host Investopia in Lagos to attract global investors and boost sustainable investment flows.Sheikh Shakhboot has played a prominent role in strengthening relations between the two countries. In January, he received President Tinubu on his arrival in Abu Dhabi for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where the Nigerian leader held talks with senior UAE officials on expanding economic cooperation and attracting foreign investment.Tuesday’s meeting is expected to reinforce the momentum of recent diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the Gulf nation, as both sides seek to translate political goodwill into tangible economic and development outcomes.

The UAE remains one of Nigeria’s key partners in the Middle East, with growing collaboration across infrastructure development, trade facilitation, food security, logistics, aviation and clean energy.