By Faridah Abdulkadiri
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Nigeria for Europe as part of his end-of-year engagements, ahead of a major international appearance at the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in the United Arab Emirates, a global forum that draws world leaders, policymakers, captains of industry and development experts.
In an official statement released by the State House on Sunday, the Presidency confirmed that the President left Lagos on December 28, combining a brief end-of-year break with preparations for the high-profile summit in Abu Dhabi scheduled for early January.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Lagos on Sunday, December 28, for Europe, continuing his end-of-year break and ahead of his official trip to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates,” the statement read.
The Presidency further disclosed that President Tinubu’s participation in the summit followed a formal invitation by the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring Nigeria’s growing engagement in global conversations on sustainability, climate action and economic transformation.
According to the statement, “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).”
ADSW, a weeklong global platform, is renowned for convening influential voices across government, business, energy, climate innovation, finance and technology, with a shared focus on shaping a sustainable and resilient future. The summit serves as a melting pot for ideas, partnerships and policy frameworks aimed at addressing climate change, energy transition and inclusive economic growth.
This year’s edition is themed “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” a concept the Presidency says will bridge ambition with concrete action by aligning innovation, finance and human capital.
“With the theme ‘The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,’ ADSW will connect ambition with action across innovation, finance, and people, showcasing how the world can move forward with confidence,” the statement added.
President Tinubu’s presence at the summit is expected to position Nigeria within critical global discussions on sustainable development, energy security, climate financing and green industrialisation—areas that remain central to the administration’s reform agenda.
The Presidency confirmed that the President will return to Nigeria immediately after the conclusion of the summit, where he is expected to engage other world leaders and stakeholders on strategic partnerships beneficial to Nigeria’s development trajectory.
The statement was signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, and dated December 28, 2025.
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