Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has resumed his international travel schedule, departing Lagos on Sunday for Europe, one month after he postponed two major foreign trips over domestic security concerns.
The President’s trip to Europe is part of his end-of-year break and serves as a stopover ahead of a critical diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.
He is scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in early January at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit.
This development comes on the heels of significant security developments at home, including the successful release of all kidnapped victims from the Kebbi and Niger school abductions and the recent Nigeria-US joint airstrikes on terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.
These events have provided a measure of respite, allowing the President to refocus on Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic agenda.
President Tinubu had, in November, suspended his planned attendance at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola.
That decision was made to receive security briefings and coordinate responses following the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
The forthcoming weeklong summit in Abu Dhabi is a major global platform that mobilises leaders from government, business, and civil society to advance the agenda of sustainable development. With the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW 2026 will focus on connecting ambition with action across innovation, finance, and social inclusion.
A statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the travel plans.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has invited President Tinubu to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, which will take place in the emirate early in January,” the statement read.
It added that the summit “showcas[es] how the world can move forward with confidence” on sustainable development.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the high-level summit. His participation, following the recent security operations, is seen as an effort to position Nigeria on the global stage, attracting partnerships and investment in climate finance and green economic opportunities.
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