Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s arrival in Abu Dhabi, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have officially signed a landmark Economic Partnership Agreement designed to exponentially increase trade and bilateral investment. This agreement, finalized on Monday, January 12, 2026, serves as a comprehensive framework for cooperation in key sectors including renewable energy, digital technology, and agricultural exports. The partnership is expected to eliminate several trade barriers that have historically hindered smooth economic exchange between the two nations.
A centerpiece of the deal is a commitment from the UAE to invest heavily in Nigeria’s infrastructure, specifically targeting the expansion of sustainable energy projects and the modernization of Nigerian ports. On its part, Nigeria has committed to creating a more streamlined regulatory environment for Emirati investors. President Tinubu described the signing as a “new dawn” for Nigeria’s economic diplomacy, asserting that the partnership will create thousands of jobs and provide the necessary capital to drive the country’s industrialization agenda. This deal is viewed as a major victory for the Tinubu administration’s efforts to reintegrate Nigeria into the global economic mainstream.
