By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Tinubu left Lagos on Sunday for Europe, where he will spend part of his end-of-year private vacation before travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official engagement.
The trip comes just over a month after the President cancelled planned foreign visits to South Africa and Angola in November, amid heightened domestic security concerns.
Those cancellations followed incidents including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and an attack on worshippers in Kwara State, prompting Tinubu to remain in Nigeria to oversee security briefings and direct response efforts.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and the subsequent AU-EU Summit in Luanda.
President Tinubu has now accepted an invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to attend the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit in early January.
Organised annually by Masdar, the UAE’s renewable energy company, ADSW is a leading global forum that brings together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to advance sustainable development goals.
The upcoming edition, themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go”, will emphasise integrating innovation, finance, and human-centred approaches to accelerate progress on climate action, energy transition, and inclusive growth.
Tinubu’s attendance highlights Nigeria’s growing focus on sustainable energy and climate resilience, complementing national initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, such as expanding renewable energy access and addressing environmental challenges.
The President is scheduled to return to Nigeria after the summit concludes.
This development was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
