Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates are set to strengthen their diplomatic and economic partnership with plans to establish a Joint Commission that will institutionalise bilateral relations between both countries and provide a framework for deeper cooperation across key sectors.
The move follows a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received the United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, who was accompanied by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The proposed Joint Commission is expected to serve as a permanent platform for coordinating bilateral engagements, implementing agreements and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Nigeria and the UAE.
According to officials, discussions during the meeting centred on expanding collaboration in agriculture, energy, industrialisation and infrastructure—sectors considered critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation and long-term development.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with the United Arab Emirates, noting that both countries share common aspirations for economic growth, investment and sustainable development.
The President also expressed confidence that the proposed Joint Commission would provide a structured mechanism for translating bilateral agreements into tangible outcomes that benefit both nations.
Speaking after the meeting, officials described the engagement as another important step towards expanding trade, attracting greater investment and fostering stronger economic and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the UAE.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader commitment to strengthening international partnerships that support national development, economic diversification and improved livelihoods for Nigerians.
Once established, the Joint Commission is expected to provide a regular platform for dialogue, policy coordination and the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at delivering shared prosperity and advancing the mutual interests of both countries.
