The presidency has responded to a leaked diplomatic correspondence between the Embassy of Qatar in Abuja and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to Qatar on March 2 and 3, 2024.
According to the leaked document, the correspondence pertains to a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum organized by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry. This forum is scheduled to coincide with President Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar.
In a press release issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, it was clarified that the leaked diplomatic paper does not indicate any snub by the Qatari government towards President Tinubu. Rather, it underscores the collaborative efforts between the Nigerian and Qatari business communities to explore commercial and investment opportunities in both countries.
The state visit to Qatar by President Tinubu is said to be at the invitation ofWYIW the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, with the aim of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar.
During the visit, President Tinubu is expected to engage in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leaders on various diplomatic and economic matters, covering sectors such as oil & gas, manufacturing, agro-business, construction, real estate, ICT, renewable energy, solid minerals, and the service sector.
The presidency emphasized that the state visit remains a crucial diplomatic engagement to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Qatar. President Tinubu and His Highness Al-Thani are committed to maintaining and enhancing the existing cordial relationship between the two nations.