Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the newly signed comprehensive economic agreement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a transformative step toward sustainable development, increased investment, and expanded global opportunities for Nigerians.
The governor made this known in a statement shared via his official X handle on Wednesday after joining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, where the landmark agreement was formally signed.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the partnership signals more than diplomatic goodwill, stressing that it opens the door to tangible economic benefits that will directly impact everyday Nigerians. He said the agreement is expected to deepen trade ties between both countries while strengthening long-term economic cooperation.
“This partnership goes beyond paperwork,” the governor noted, adding that it lays the foundation for real investments, stronger institutional relationships, and inclusive economic growth.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the significance of the agreement for Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub, noting that enhanced access to global markets and fresh inflows of foreign investment would support key sectors driving the state’s economy, including manufacturing, trade, technology, and infrastructure.
“For us in Lagos, agreements like this matter,” he said, “because they create opportunities for fresh investment and better access to global markets in the sectors that power our economy.”
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The governor also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his leadership and vision, describing the agreement as part of a broader commitment to sustainable development and economic reform aimed at securing a prosperous future for coming generations.
“We owe deep gratitude to Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for laying the groundwork for sustainable development for our country and future generations,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The Nigeria–UAE economic partnership is expected to boost trade, attract foreign direct investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a strategic economic gateway to Africa, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of economic diversification and global integration.