The event, themed “Nigeria and UAE Partnership: Driving Pathways to Shared Prosperity,” brought together senior government officials, international investors, policy leaders, and business executives, highlighting the nation’s commitment to international collaboration and economic transformation.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Chief Tunde Rahman, delivered the keynote address, reaffirming the government’s ongoing reforms in fiscal policy, energy diversification, tax restructuring, and governance modernization. He emphasized that Nigeria remains on a steady path toward sustainable economic recovery and welcomes responsible, long-term investments, particularly from the UAE.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador JK Adebola, Chairman of the Renewed Hope Global Initiative, outlined the administration’s achievements in infrastructure delivery, energy-sector repositioning, digital governance, and economic stabilization. He noted that these milestones are restoring global confidence in Nigeria and generating measurable international outcomes.
The summit featured a technical session led by senior government experts. Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, CEng MIMechE, Director-General and CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, presented the National Energy Masterplan and ongoing solarization initiatives, highlighting key investment opportunities in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. Dr Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, reinforced the country’s economic turnaround and urged investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Further strengthening investor confidence, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, a leading tax specialist, detailed Nigeria’s newly reformed tax framework, emphasizing simplification, compliance efficiency, and alignment with global best practices. He noted that these reforms create a highly investor-friendly environment and address longstanding concerns of foreign stakeholders.
Dubai-based investors responded enthusiastically, expressing strong interest in deeper engagement. Among the prominent attendees were Dr Major Omar Al Marzooqi, Dr Bu Abdullah, Mr Rajesh Agrawal, and H.E. Laila Rahhal El Atfani, who praised Nigeria’s reforms, transparency, and commitment to global partnerships while exploring investment prospects across multiple sectors.
A major highlight of the summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Energy Commission of Nigeria and Elite L&D Services FZ LLC, a Dubai-based energy solutions company. Under the agreement, the company will establish a state-of-the-art solar assembly plant in Abuja, supported by an initial USD 10 million investment, with provisions for expansion based on project performance. The MoU further solidifies Nigeria’s drive for renewable energy development, local manufacturing, technology transfer, and job creation.
