Tinubu Sets Sail: President Heads to Dubai for COP28 Summit Repeat

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Wednesday for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he will participate in the COP28 Climate Summit, also known as the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference or the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC. This marks his second visit to the Middle Eastern country in less than six months since assuming office.

In September, President Tinubu held discussions with the President of the Gulf States, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which various investment deals were reportedly signed. There were speculations about the immediate resumption of flight schedules for Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines to and from Nigeria, lifting the travel ban on the country. However, these reports were later debunked.

Now, the President is headed to Dubai to attend the COP28 Climate Summit, as announced in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

President Tinubu is scheduled to participate in the World Leaders’ Summit on December 1 and 2, 2023, where he will deliver a national statement highlighting Nigeria’s stance on key issues, including renewable energy and climate financing. The theme of the Leaders’ Summit is “Unite, Act, and Deliver,” and the President will advocate for increased financial and technical support for developing nations. He will also emphasize developed countries’ commitment to providing $100 billion annually to support localized initiatives addressing climate change challenges.

The President’s message will underscore the importance of holding businesses and institutions accountable, aligning with Nigeria’s dedication to sustainable and responsible practices. While in Dubai, President Tinubu will actively participate in key sideline events that support his commitment to aggressively attract foreign direct investment for enhanced wealth creation and revenue expansion in the country.

Additionally, the Nigerian delegation to COP28 will explore establishing new and deeper bilateral partnerships to implement Nigeria’s Energy Transition, Article 6 Projects, Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes, Technology Transfer, Capacity Building, and Methane Mitigation.

It’s worth noting that in October 2022, during the Buhari administration, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) immigration authorities imposed a visa ban on Nigerians without providing a concrete reason. The ban affected all submitted applications, with fees declared non-refundable. The situation led to a temporary halt in approvals, prompting travel agents to advise clients to resubmit applications once the issue was resolved between the two governments.

As President Tinubu embarks on this diplomatic mission to Dubai, the focus remains on his engagement in the global climate discourse and the potential for fostering bilateral relationships that can contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable development. The summit serves as a platform for Nigeria to assert its position on climate issues and seek support for initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change.