Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says 90 percent of expatriates doing jobs meant for Nigerians lack proper work permits.

Tunji-Ojo said this on Wednesday when he appeared before the joint national assembly joint committees on interior to defend the budget of the interior ministry.

Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of the senate committee on interior, had said the ministry is allowing a lot of expatriates to come into the country to do the jobs meant for Nigerians.

“No country in the world allows all manner of people to come under all kinds of guises and they are given visas and whatever it is to reside in the country,” Oshiomhole said.

“Visit the commercial centres, you will find expatriates selling tables, chairs, bread – but they are clearly jobs that Nigerians can do.”

In response, the minister said Nigeria needs to solve the problem of “migration management”, adding that there are issues he is not at liberty to discuss in public, but in a closed session.

“We try to solve compound problems by solving them in silos… 90 percent of the people that you spoke about do not have permits and that is the essence of the automation process that we are doing,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“When you go to any country in the world, effective border management is the basis of your home migration management.”

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserve dropped by $435.40 million in one week.

According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the FX reserve fell from $40.92 billion on January 6 to $40.48 billion on January 14.

The record showed that the country’s foreign reserves declined from $40.92 billion on January 6, to $40.91 billion on January 7, $40.85 billion on January 8, and $40.80 billion on January 9.

Further analysis showed that on January 10, the reserves fell further to $40.75 billion, with the downward trajectory extending to $40.56 billion on January 13, and $40.48 billion on January 14.

Within seven days, the reserves declined by $435.40 billion amid efforts by the CBN to increase liquidity in the FX market and stabilise the naira.

Speaking to Charles Abuede, research lead at Cowry Asset Management Limited, said the gradual depletion in Nigeria’s FX reserves could be a result of a halt in FX inflows into Nigeria.

“This could also be an effort of the CBN to defend the naira at the market in a bid to shore up its value,” Abuede said.

“The Nigerian government’s revenues continue to stay weak over the years while expenditure continues its rise, thus, keeping us in a negative position in our fiscal balance. 

“To bring about a rise in the reserves levels, Nigeria needs to improve and sustain crude oil production and sales for more earnings.

“Incentives to spur diaspora remittance inflows, coherent FX policy reforms aimed at creating balance in the FX market and to drive FDI inflows.”

The analyst also said CBN’s intensified efforts “could bring some level of calm on the naira and we will see upward movement in the reserves”.

On December 18, 2024, the CBN said it had granted eligible bureau de change (BDC) operators temporary access to the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) to purchase $25,000 weekly from December 19 to January 30.

The apex bank said BDCs will purchase foreign exchange (FX) from authorised dealers to meet retail market demand.

Lawmaker representing Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Rep Abdussamad Dasuki, has called for the allocation of a massive Abuja estate forfeited because it was tied to corruption to the Military to address the housing needs of its personnel.

On December 2, 2024, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ordered the final forfeiture of an expansive estate spanning 150,500 square meters and comprising 753 duplexes and other apartments, located on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

The forfeiture of the estate is the largest single asset the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has recovered since it was set up in 2003.

In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Dasuki, who is also the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services, said the National Assembly must urgently work with the Executive in ensuring that these forfeited massive estate was allocated to the military to address the housing needs of military personnel.

“Doing so is a moral obligation we owe our heroes in active service”, he said, noting that, “At this time that the 2025 budget is undergoing legislative input is an auspicious time to do so, even if it requires invoking the Doctrine of Necessity.”

He said an amended Appropriation Bill for funding of the completion of the housing units to make them habitable for military personnel could be sent by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly.

While noting that the forfeiture is indeed a milestone in the fight against the hydra-headed problem of corruption, Dasuki said another milestone can be recorded in the use this forfeited estate is put to by the Federal Government.

Dasuki said a major area where the wellbeing of military personnel and their families can be enhanced was in the area of housing. “We must ensure that those who keep us safe and their families have a decent place to lay their heads every night,” he said.

According to him, adequate and decent housing is a critical need of the military, and lack of it often leads to stress, low morale, and physical and emotional strain that could undermine the capacity of the military to carry out its duties effectively.

“We must be eternally grateful to those men and women who laid down their lives to keep us safe, secure and united as an indivisible nation. We must continually honour their ultimate sacrifice not only by paying glowing tributes to their memories, but also by ensuring that the noble cause they died for is not in vain.

“As the nation honours its fallen heroes, we must not fail to cater for the welfare of those in active service. Those who have taken up the noble task to keep our nation safe and secure, and to defend our territorial integrity. While it is of great importance to provide them with the armaments to do so, we must also prioritize their welfare and those of their families.

“By prioritizing the welfare of the Armed Forces and their families, national security will be strengthened, operational readiness and effectiveness of the military will be enhanced, and our commitment to the well-being of those who keep us safe will be indubitable.

“We will also be showing clearly to these gallant men and women that bear arms in our defence that we are indeed grateful for their service to the nation,” the lawmaker said.

He said addressing the housing needs of the military requires a concerted effort from the National Assembly and the Executive through strategic policy formulation, budgetary allocation and legislative reforms.

“But these is an urgent issue, and there is a low hanging fruit that can be plucked to address, significantly, a chunk of this housing needs of our military, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory”, he said.

Dasuki called on the National Assembly to urgently work with the Executive in ensuring that this forfeited massive estate is allocated to the military to address the housing needs of military personnel.

“Doing so is a moral obligation we owe our heroes in active service… We must not allow this opportunity to slip by. It is the right thing to do for those who keep us safe,” he said.

Internet personality, Vincent Otse Martins, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has accused a former Pastor of Dunamis International Christian Center, Abraham Daniel, of attempting to blackmail founder of the Church, Pastor Paul Enenche, for financial gain.

The accusation comes on the heels of Daniel’s recent deten for alleged criminal defamation against Pastor Enenche, who heads the prominent church, reputed to be one of the largest congregations in the world.

Narrating his personal encounter with the ex-pastor who had attempted to use emotional appeal to solicit financial gains from him before going publicly to produce video to defame Enenche, VDM said the ex-pastor has the capacity to go to any length to obtain financial gain.

VDM noted that he met the ex-cleric while trying to seek justice over an allegation relating to the ex-pastor’s daughter but the case was frustrated given the fact that ex-pastor and his divorced wife could not agree.

VDM noted that his experience with the cleric and allegations from the divorced wife confirmed that Pastor Paul Eneche must have gone through a lot in the hand of the ex-cleric.

Daniel, who identifies as an atheist, ignited controversy on social media by claiming that Pastor Enenche fakes miracles and orchestrates staged religious events at his church.

Daniel’s allegations, however, have been allegedly made without any substantiated evidence, leading many to question their validity and prompting a wave of backlash that culminated in Daniel facing legal repercussions.

VDM took to his social media platforms to share his troubling experiences with Daniel, highlighting revelations that suggested the ex-pastor may have ulterior motives in his attacks against Enenche and the Dunamis Church.

According to VDM in a virap video, evidence in the form of private messages illustrated that Daniel has a history of manipulation and financial exploitation. He also alleged that Daniel has a tumultuous personal life, including abandoning his family and reportedly assaulting his wife and children.

VDM’s exposé casts doubt on Daniel’s motives, suggesting that his attack on Pastor Enenche may stem from personal grievances rather than genuine concerns.

As of now, Daniel’s lack of evidence to support his claims has left many observers skeptical and concerned about the implications of his accusations in the ongoing discourse surrounding faith and accountability within religious institutions.

As the situation unfolds, many are left wondering about the broader impact of these allegations, not only on Pastor Enenche’s reputation but also on the credibility of public figures who voice dissent against religious leaders

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Wednesday said the recent military airstrike in the North-Western state was not intentional.

Lawal stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he commiserated with the families of the incident.

“It was not intentional. It was in the process of fighting these bandits (that) they were struck,” he said.

“The Chief of Air Staff has set up a committee to commiserate with the state government as well as the people that were affected. They also went there yesterday to do on the spot assessment to see who was involved and what happened to guide against future occurrence.”

He said he was aware of the military operation before the tragedy occurred, saying that he personally invited the Air Force to neutralise some bandits who were attacking the area.

During the programme, he expressed hope that the military has all the capacity to tackle bandits activities within one month.

The governor said the days of notorious bandits leader, Bello Turji, are numbered, saying he would soon be eliminated just as other top bandits have been neutralised.

On January 11, over 16 residents were killed after a military air strike tore through the Tungar Kara community in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Worried by the situation, the Nigerian Air Force deployed a fact-finding team deployed to investigate the recent military air strikes tragedy in the state.

The team met with Governor Lawal on Tuesday at the Government House in Gusau.

Security operatives have been battling bandits have been terrorising north-west and central states. The bandits raid villages, burn homes and kill and abduct residents for ransom.

Several accidental air strikes have occurred in recent months including a Christmas Day attack that killed at least 10 civilians in neighbouring Sokoto state.

In 2023, at least 85 civilians, mostly women and children, attending a Muslim religious gathering at a village in Kaduna state were killed after they were mistaken for bandits.

In January 2017, at least 112 people were killed when a jet struck a camp housing 40,000 people who had been displaced by jihadist violence in a town near the Cameroonian border.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has remitted ₦10 trillion to the federation account, making it the highest taxpayer in the country and remains the only company in Nigeria that publishes 100% of its account statements annually.

This is according to the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Malam Mele Kyari, who stated this on Wednesday during a presentation on NNPCL’s 2024 revenue performance and 2025 projections to the National Assembly’s joint committee on Finance.

The NNPCL boss also called for a forensic audit of the funds spent by NNPCL on fuel price stabilization and ensuring uninterrupted petrol supply between January and September 2024.

“Until October 1, 2024, NNPCL, as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), acted as the supplier of last resort for fuel supply,” he said.

“A forensic audit is needed to determine the financial obligations of NNPCL and any owed entities. Our transactional accounts are transparent and published annually, reinforcing our status as the top taxpayer and the highest contributor of royalties and dividends.”

Regarding the company’s 2025 revenue projections, Kyari indicated that a definitive figure would be provided after the upcoming board of directors meeting in two weeks. He assured the committee that the parameters for the 2025 budget were both realistic and achievable.

In a related development, the National Assembly raised the 2025 projected revenue for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to ₦1.75 trillion, underscoring the need for increased revenue generation across key government agencies.

AS Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State presented the staff of office to the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, on Monday, tongues are still wagging why the selection process was so controversial and unnecessarily prolonged.

Though the same scenario played out in 1970 when Prince Lamidi Adeyemi, the successor to Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu 11 was announced by the defunct Western Region, no one in his wildest imagination thought the road to one of the foremost traditional stools, could be so chaotic, rough and bumpy. 

The Alaafin stool was vacant for almost three years after Oba Lamidi Adeyemi joined his ancestors.

The new Alaafin will understand, more than anyone else, that indeed, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

Presentation of Instruments of office

Immediately after the approval of the new Alaafin last Friday, the Oyo State Government moved swiftly to present the instrument of office to the new monarch.

The presentation, which took place at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan, was not given much publicity.

Alaafin stool not for sale —Gov Makinde

Apparently alluding to allegations that money exchanged hands among the kingmakers, who did the initial nomination of Prince Gbadegesin and presented same to him, he vowed that he would not sit by and watch the stool of Alaafin commercialized.

The governor went further to say that he would ensure that anyone found culpable of collecting money in the selection process would be prosecuted.

Oyo Mesi will be prosecuted — Makinde

The governor gave the estranged kingmakers an option if they don’t want to be prosecuted.

“Let me also say briefly that those that are still hell-bent on destabilising the traditional institution in Oyo, the government is not letting down. We will prosecute them. The money they collected; they will still be prosecuted except they go to Kabiyesi. If he forgives them, I will also forgive them,” the governor maintained.

“The Alaafin stool is very important not just to Oyo Town or Oyo State but the entire Yoruba race. So, under my watch, I made it very clear that the stool would not be for sale. It is not a stool for us to toy with.

“From today, we have an Alaafin. I congratulate the Alaafin of Oyoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade. I pray that your reign shall bring unity to Yoruba race wherever they may be around the world,” Governor Makinde said.

I met new Alaafin first time on Sunday— Gov Makinde

To further prove that he was very transparent in the whole affair, he explained that he was meeting him (Alaafin) for the first time.

“I met Prince Owoade for the first time in my life yesterday. I never spoke to him in my entire life until yesterday. I did not know his profile or the profile of any of the princes vying for the stool and it was deliberate because I did not want my opinion to influence the process.

“Let me say this clearly; when we came in 2019, we had challenges with the traditional institution in Ibadanland and it has been resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.

“When it was time for us to approve the selection of Okere, some people came to me and said: ‘This is our friend’. They said one person is APC and I said it does not mean anything to me whether you are PDP or APC. Why should my decision be based on political considerations? So, I approved the selection of the Saki kingmakers.

“I always tell people not to kill themselves over politicians, because we see ourselves in the night. We go to each other’s houses. Politics, electioneering is a game. It’s only when you have been elected, then governance becomes a serious business because you will make decisions that will affect millions of people. So, we will not play politics with governance.

“The Alaafin stool became vacant in 2022. We were moving towards the election and people said, you have to approve the appointment of Alaafin, otherwise, Oyo people would not vote for you. I said the people should not vote for me but that I would do what was right and Oyo voted for me massively. Oyo will continue to support me. The coronation would be in four weeks”

I will work for progress of Oyo Town, Nigeria .. Alaafin

While responding after the presentation of the staff of office, the new monarch promised to work relentlessly for the progress of the ancient city.

Process to select new Alaafin tantamount to subjudice —Kingmakers

Meanwhile, some members of Oyo Mesi, who are kingmakers, have distanced themselves from the appointment of the new Alaafin.

Through their counsel, Adekunle Sobaloju, SAN, the kingmakers distanced themselves from the appointment.
Those who opposed the move by the governor are High Chief Yusuf Akínade, Bashorun of Oyo; High Chief Wakeel Akindele, Lagunna of Oyo; High Chief Hamzat Yusuf, Akinniku of Oyo; Chíef Wahab Oyetunji, warrant chief and stand-in for Asipa of Oyo, and Chief Gbadebo Mufutau, warrant chief stand-in for Alapinní of Oyo.

The kingmakers in a letter signed by their legal representative, Adekunle Sobaloju, SAN said: “We have just been reliably ínformed by our clients that you have just through the Oyo State Commissíoner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Chairmen of Atiba and Oyo East Local Government appointed (i) Chief Odurinde Olusegun Alajagba of Ajagba) (ii) Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye (Alago-Oja of Ago Oja) as warrant kíngmakers to join High Chief Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin of Oyo) and High Chief Lamidi Oyewale (Samu of Oyo) to kick-start the process of selecting another candidate to fill the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo.

“Proceeding to commence a fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo would be subjudice and tantamount to lawlessness and disregard of the superior courts of record an act which your Excellency ought to distance yourself from.

“We, therefore, once more request and urge your Excellency to suspend any plan to kick-start fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo during the pendency of a motion for injunction pending appeal in obedience to law and integrity of our courts.”

How selection process turned controversial

After the death of Oba Adeyemi on April 22, 2022, about 198 contenders signified their interest to assume the revered throne.

But, the number was pruned from 65 to 10 by the Oyo Mesi, a council of kingmakers after a rigorous interview and consultation with Ifa Oracle.

After the nomination of Prince Gbadegesin by the estranged kingmakers, there was a row among the kingmakers over the sum of money allegedly offered them.

Vanguard gathered that it was the sharing formula that sowed the seed of discord. It was alleged that two of the kingmakers felt the larger portion of the cake was taken by one of them.

Inundated with complaints and alleged ‘greased palms’, the governor restrained himself from giving approval to the name forwarded to him by the kingmakers.

The governor insisted that due process must be strictly adhered to.

The governor, as reliably gathered instructed the kingmakers to go back to the drawing board by re-consulting Ifa Oracle which the kingmakers rejected.

Ifa Oracle consulted outside Oyo

In what could be termed an unprecedented move, the state government reportedly sought the services of Professor Wande Abimbola, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife and the head of all Ifa oracle diviners to ask Ifa Oracle which of the aspirants he preferred.

Ifa picked Prince Owoade — Prof Abimbola

In a viral video last weekend, Prof Abimbola was heard saying that the Oyo State government contacted him on the divination process.

According to the Ifa diviner, the Oyo State Governor called him to ask Ifa who the right choice would be.
The Professor of Yoruba explained the rigour he went through before picking the new Alaafin.

He said: ”I spent ten days seeking the face of Ifá oracle and Ifá made its choice. Ifá chose Prince Owoade.”

The Ifa representative also alleged that the Oyo kingmakers tried to persuade him to stick to their initial nomination to which he said no.

The matter is in court— Head of Oyo Mesi

When Vanguard called the Head of Oyo Mesi, who is also the Bashorun of Oyo, Chief Yussuf Ayoola, he said he wouldn’t want to comment, the ball is in the governor’s court.

“I don’t want to say anything about it since the matter is in court. The Law is much more powerful than the person who made it. We shall be waiting for the court decision”, he said.

When asked if the ancient town had experienced a delay of this nature before in enthroning a new Alaafin, he answered in affirmative saying “Yes, it has happened before but I can’t remember the time. But, there is a difference between the delay that happened in the past and the delay being experienced now. Then, it was the people of Oyo that caused the delay but now it is the government that is responsible.”

We’re not happy about the delay — Afonja, head of princes

When Vanguard called the head of all princes in Oyo, Chief Afonja, he simply said the matter was now with the kingmakers.

Afonja said: “We are not happy too that it is taking this long. If you have the number of Oyo Mesi, call them and help us appeal to them to do the needful.

“We had a meeting on the issue last week Saturday. We said at the meeting that we don’t like how the selection process is foot dragging. The Oyo people are not happy that a new Alaafin of Oyo has not emerged.”

Prolonged delay is very disturbing —Residents

One of the indigenes of Oyo town, Mr Jayeola(other name withheld) told Vanguard that the selection process will “continue to drag until the state government hands off on the emergence of the new Alaafin. All that it is required to do is just to give approval. But, when the government is saying there’s a petition against the nominated candidate by the Oyo Mesi, it speaks volumes.”

“I think the state government should just give approval to whoever is presented to it and anyone who is aggrieved should go to court. Almost three years now, there’s nobody sitting on the Alaafin stool. This is not good. The people of Oyo have spoken through the Oyo Mesi; let the state government stop stalling the process.”

Another source said: “If I’m asked to say anything about the Alaafin stool, I will say it’s becoming evident who is preventing the installation of our new king.”

The federal government has proposed a 30-60% increase in telecom tariffs to sustain the critical telecommunications sector while ensuring affordability for Nigerians.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television yesterday, stated that recommendations from independent consultants, including KPMG, had been received.

Rejecting demands by operators for a 100 per cent hike, Dr. Tijani explained that the government was considering a more moderate increase to strike a balance between affordability for consumers and the sustainability and continued growth of the sector.

He said: “The telecommunications sector contributes over 16 per cent to our GDP, employs thousands of Nigerians, and is essential to the nation’s digital economy. However, it is crucial to ensure that services remain accessible while maintaining the sector’s viability.”

Announcing key updates from the ministry, Dr. Tijani emphasized that the tariff review would prioritize consumer interests and sector sustainability.

He said the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, was overseeing the process, with recommendations based on data-driven analysis.

On rural connectivity investments, he said: “To address connectivity challenges in underserved areas, the government is deploying 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic networks and building telecom towers in remote regions through Special Purpose Vehicles, SPVs.”

Dr. Tijani also addressed Nigeria’s leadership in global telecommunications infrastructure resilience, citing recent efforts to manage submarine cable disruptions.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to harmonizing taxes and declaring telecom infrastructure as critical national assets.

Assuring Nigerians of improved service delivery, the minister said operators would be held accountable for disruptions.

“We are implementing measures to ensure swift resolutions to service interruptions and better experiences for consumers.

“We are committed to ensuring meaningful connectivity for all Nigerians—25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas—while fostering a sustainable environment for private and public investments,” he said.

Following the establishment of the Police Anti-money Laundering Units to checkmate terrorism Financing, operatives have arrested two suspects involved in counterfeit currencies in Kano and Nasarawa states with a total sum of over N129.54 million in Kano and $160,000 in Nasarawa State.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi made this known while disclosing the establishment of the Police Anti-Money Laundering Units of the Nigeria Police Force, and appointing, a renowned financial expert, CP Hyacinth Azuka Edozie with officers of the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to lead the units in all State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) across the country.

The Force PRO said, “On December 8, 2024, at Gwale, Kano, operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended Nura Ibrahim and discovered counterfeit currency, which included the sum of N129,542,823,000 in counterfeit currencies.

“A, breakdown showed 3,366,000 in Counterfeit US Dollars, 51,970 in Counterfeit CFA francs, and 1,443,000 in counterfeit Naira.

“Similarly, on January 13, 2025, the Force arrested 53-year-old Ephraim Barde in New Karu, Nasarawa State, with counterfeit U.S. dollar notes totalling $160,000.

He explained the initiative by IGP Egbetokun to establish terrorism Financing units, “is a strategic move to strengthen the Police’s role in national security, specifically in combating financial crimes.

‘It is also critical in countering the sophisticated methods used by terrorist organizations and other criminal entities to finance their activities.

“The establishment underscores the Force’s commitment to safeguarding national security by preventing and detecting illicit financial activities that could undermine the country’s stability.

“It also enhances the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in furtherance of its global oversight functions, to address various security threats.

“As a testament to the zeal to curb financial crimes and boost national security, the Police recently made significant arrests in Kano and Nasarawa States.

“On December 8, 2024, at Gwale, Kano, operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended Nura Ibrahim and discovered counterfeit currency, which included the sum of N129,542,823,000 in counterfeit currencies, with a breakdown of 3,366,000 in Counterfeit US Dollars, 51,970 in Counterfeit CFA franc, and 1,443,000 in counterfeit Naira.

“The arrest led to further arrests of accomplices Muhammed Muntari and Usman Abdullahi.

“Similarly, on January 13, 2025, the Force arrested 53-year-old Ephraim Barde in New Karu, Nasarawa State, with counterfeit U.S. dollar notes totalling $160,000.

“Following the arrest, further investigations are underway to determine the full scope of Barde’s involvement and identify any accomplices.

“The Police are committed to preventing further threats to the nation’s financial system.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its efforts to combat financial crimes and ensure a secure economic environment to promote national security for the safety of all Nigerians and residents.

“The establishment of the Anti-Money Laundering Units is a vital step in this mission.

“The IGP calls on all citizens to play an active role in national security by reporting suspicious activities related to counterfeit currency and financial crimes.”

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, met with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sharing details of the meeting, President Tinubu described the bilateral meeting as crucial to strengthening and expanding the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE.

According to the Nigerian leader, the discussions between the two leaders focused on key areas of mutual interest and exploring opportunities to deepen economic ties, and foster innovation.

Naija News reports Tinubu, who shared the details of the discussion on his X account, expressed confidence that the relationship between Nigeria and UAE will flourish and benefit the two nations.

“This evening, I joined His Highness, the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for a crucial bilateral meeting to strengthen and expand the growing relationship between Nigeria and the UAE.

“Our discussions focused on key areas of mutual interest and exploring opportunities to deepen our economic ties, foster innovation, and enhance collaborative efforts that will benefit Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

“The UAE has proven to be a vital partner for Nigeria, and this bilateral meeting highlights our shared commitment to advancing strategic partnerships that promote sustainable development, trade and investments, regional stability, and prosperity for all.

“The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) was an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to global sustainability efforts, and I extend my congratulations on the remarkable success of this year’s ADSW and Zayed Sustainability Prize.

“We will keep building the groundwork for a future marked by cooperation, mutual respect, and shared progress between Nigeria and the UAE. I am confident that this relationship will continue to flourish, benefiting our nations and the global community,” the Nigerian leader shared.