Nigeria is leveraging the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week to advance gas-to-power development, expand trade, and secure long-awaited investments from the United Arab Emirates, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Tuggar described the event as a crucial platform to turn broad climate and economic commitments into tangible projects, particularly for countries like Nigeria seeking partners for infrastructure and energy development.
“The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week happens in between the COP. So in between, you need to concretize some of the agreements that have been reached, otherwise it just ends up being a talk shop,” he said. “Events such as this provide the opportunity to extract tangible projects, commitments, and funding that perhaps have been agreed.”
Tuggar explained that Nigeria arrived at the summit with prepared projects to attract investors, addressing a longstanding gap in project readiness.
“In the case of Nigeria, we have a deficit in project preparation. This presents an opportunity to present identified projects and source funding from countries and organizations in attendance,” he said.
President Tinubu is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is set to be signed. The pact aims to protect investments from both sides and unlock funding for gas, power, trade, and infrastructure projects.
“A lot of investors from the UAE side are waiting for this agreement so that their investments will be protected once it’s signed,” Tuggar noted. “On the Nigerian side, it also safeguards our businesses operating in Dubai and upholds the dignity of Nigerians abroad.”
Gas-to-power development remains a priority, as the country seeks solutions to persistent electricity shortages. Tuggar highlighted ongoing pipeline construction and fresh licensing rounds to boost gas exploration and production.
Trade, agriculture, and manufacturing are also central to the discussions, with recent reforms easing business and travel between Nigeria and the UAE.
On climate issues, Tuggar said President Tinubu will showcase Nigeria’s deliverables and package bankable projects to attract global funding.
“The goal is not just to avert climate change but to do it in a sustainable way,” he said, adding that credibility is key to accessing global climate finance.
