It is a new week already and it is seeming to me like last week was so fleeting, it felt like two days short. When did we see the swearing-in ceremony of the new Ghanaian President that we have started talking of yet another week? The last week, though moved very fast, had a lot to talk about. For instance, it was the week Nigerians celebrated their fallen heroes, sending out bolts of emotions and symbolic messages and wreaths.
It probably felt so short because Mr. President did his things offshore and there were not much sounds from the seat of power. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu left Nigeria for the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi, for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW2025) last week Saturday. He was out of the country till yesterday evening when he returned to Abuja.
While in Abu Dhabi, besides delivering a resonating national statement, which message other world leaders must still be chewing on, he had a couple of engagements that were focused on sustaining Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with other nations of the world, including the UAE itself. He even got the revered President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to agree to visiting Nigeria sometime this year.
Although he held a couple of engagements, like his meeting with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda on Monday, and his meeting with President Al Nahyan later on Wednesday evening, during which meetings he managed to hold profound discussions with his contemporaries, it was the message to the world during the ADSW2025 that trumped them all.
At the 2025ADSW, President Tinubu delivered a stirring call to action, urging the global community to recognize the intertwined destinies of climate action and economic growth. Speaking before an audience of global leaders, policymakers, and innovators, Tinubu outlined a bold and pragmatic vision for how Africa—and Nigeria in particular—can lead the charge toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
The President’s central theme was clear: the fight against climate change is not merely a challenge to overcome, but an unparalleled opportunity to reshape the global economy. For Africa, this transformation represents a chance to address historic inequities, build resilient economies, and contribute meaningfully to the global energy transition. In Tinubu’s words, “We stand at a crucial and critical junction in human history.”
Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria’s commitment to sustainability is anchored on three pillars: energy transition, climate resilience, and sustainable development. These pillars, he explained, are designed to align global aspirations with local realities, ensuring that Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities are effectively addressed.
At the heart of Nigeria’s energy transition plan is a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. Tinubu highlighted ongoing efforts to diversify the nation’s energy sources, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and embrace clean technologies. From investments in compressed natural gas and electric vehicles to the exploration of critical minerals needed for green energy technologies, Nigeria is laying the groundwork for a sustainable energy future.
Beyond energy, Nigeria is advancing climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security while minimizing environmental harm. Policies such as the National Clean Cooking Gas Policy aim to reduce carbon emissions and promote socioeconomic development, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Tinubu did not shy away from acknowledging the formidable environmental challenges Nigeria and other African nations face. Issues such as deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, and flooding have long plagued the continent. The President cited the shrinking of Lake Chad as a stark reminder of the urgency of these issues, emphasizing the need for immediate and collaborative action.
However, Tinubu framed these challenges as opportunities to innovate and build resilience. By integrating sustainable practices across all sectors of the economy, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in the emerging green economy. The country’s pioneering issuance of green bonds—now in its third phase—demonstrates its commitment to attracting investment for climate-focused projects. He, however, invited international partners to join in these efforts, underscoring the need for global collaboration and shared responsibility.
A recurring theme in his address was the transformative potential of technology. Nigeria, he noted, is increasingly embracing innovations in clean energy, water conservation, waste management, and advanced agricultural techniques. From restoring degraded lands to exploring the possibilities of artificial intelligence in farming, technology is seen as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable development strategy.
Tinubu’s vision extends beyond Nigeria’s borders. He called for stronger international cooperation, arguing that the global community must work together to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Global solutions will only be effective if we work together in the spirit of mutual respect and a shared future,” he said.
Perhaps the most poignant moment of Tinubu’s speech came toward the end, as he reflected on the symbolic act of children waving banners of hope at the event’s opening. For the President, this image encapsulated the moral imperative of sustainability: to preserve the planet for future generations.
“This fight is not just for us—it is for them,” Tinubu declared. His words served as a powerful reminder that the decisions made today will define the world inherited by tomorrow’s leaders.
Tinubu concluded his address with an appeal to the international community. He called for increased funding, technology transfer, and collaborative efforts to ensure that Africa is not left behind in the global transition to sustainability. His message was one of optimism tempered by pragmatism: while the challenges are immense, the opportunities are even greater.
Nigeria, under Tinubu’s leadership, is positioning itself as a model for how nations can pursue sustainability without sacrificing economic growth. By prioritizing energy transition, fostering resilience, and embracing inclusive development, the country is charting a path that other nations—both in Africa and beyond—can follow.
As the global community reflects on the outcomes of ADSW2025, Tinubu’s speech stands as a clarion call for bold action and meaningful collaboration. The question now is whether the world will heed that call and join hands with Africa in shaping a sustainable and equitable future.
Meanwhile, before the events of the ADSW2025, President Tinubu met with President Kagame of Rwanda on Monday. It was initially just pictures, but much later when our President mentioned the meeting on his verified X handle, we got to know it was all about exploring and exploiting Africa’s resources for the development of the continent and its people. Just like he advocated in Ghana the previous week; the fact that this is the African Age, when all that is found within the continent should be devoted to making it competitive and measuring up to the rest of the world.
“This evening, on the eve of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, I had meaningful conversations with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Africa has what it takes to develop itself. We have the resources, the people, and the capacity. We must look inward to improve intra-African trade and collaboration to benefit the African people and the continent. The time for Africa is now. We can. We must. We will”, the President said.
Despite being miles offshore, the President did not fail to rally Nigerians to honour the fallen heroes on Wednesday. Though he was represented at the National Arcade, the traditional venue of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu still had a stirring message for Nigerians; demanding that we respect their sacrifice and cherish their work by preserving our peace.
“The Armed Forces Remembrance Day allows us to express our gratitude and pay tribute to our ex-servicemen and women who selflessly sacrificed their lives to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria and other nations. Our nation is in dire need of peace, and so is the World. As we mark this solemn event today, remember that people laid down their lives, and many still do so to guarantee our peaceful co-existence. Therefore, let us eschew violence and divisive tendencies for a peaceful and prosperous nation. Let us all become ambassadors of peace. We can build a future of hope and optimism together, where peace and unity reign supreme”, he admonished.
Then on Wednesday evening, after he had delivered his memorable national statement at the ADSW2025, he met with his host, the President of the UAE, Sheikh Al Nahyan, discussing our mutual interests and projecting into what else could still be explored in our diplomatic and bilateral relations. At the end of it all, being the savvy salesman, Tinubu was able to get Al Nahyan to agree to visiting Nigeria soon.
Only those who understand the culture of the Arabs will see the importance of what President Tinubu achieved in getting the UAE President to agree to coming to Africa, to Nigeria. It also speaks to the weight of the respect they now have for us as a global partner.
It is a new week, the one that is about to the first active week of the year. There is no forecasting what we should expect, just that there will be activities.
