Tinubu Returns to Nigeria Following High-Stakes Abu Dhabi Climate Summit

President Bola Tinubu is en route back to Nigeria today, Saturday, concluding his strategic diplomatic visit to the United Arab Emirates where he participated in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

The President’s return was confirmed in an official statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

President Tinubu , who attended the global summit alongside a high-powered delegation of ministers and senior government officials, used the platform to aggressively pitch Nigeria as a prime destination for green investment.

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His participation was marked by significant policy announcements aimed at repositioning Africa’s largest economy within the global energy transition.

A Visit Defined by Bold Targets During his time in Abu Dhabi, President Tinubu unveiled Nigeria’s ambitious National Carbon Market Framework.

In a keynote address that drew attention from global investors, he declared that the country is positioned to generate between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually through carbon trading.

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The President argued that Nigeria’s climate strategy is not merely about environmental compliance but is a core component of his administration’s economic revitalization plan.

He highlighted the launch of a climate and green industrialization investment initiative designed to unlock $20 billion to $30 billion annually for the country.

“Nigeria feels at the heart of development opportunity,” Tinubu had told world leaders during the summit, emphasizing that his government has taken “vigorous regulatory steps” to ensure transparency and attract capital.

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Securing the Future Beyond the carbon market, the President’s itinerary focused on securing financing for critical infrastructure.

He announced the creation of a $500 million Climate Investment Platform and a $2 billion National Climate Platform, both aimed at funding climate-resilient projects and sustainable development across Nigeria.

The President also held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit, reinforcing partnerships with international bodies like the World Bank, which is currently implementing a $750 million program to expand electricity access in the country.

Return to Abuja According to the presidency, President Tinubu and his team are expected to touch down in Abuja later today to resume official duties.

The visit to Abu Dhabi is seen as a continuation of the administration’s foreign policy drive to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) while navigating the complex shift from a fossil-fuel-dependent economy to one driven by renewable energy and sustainable industrialization.